How would you approach rental properties in the same year that you intend to buy a house to live in?

Like I mentioned I'm brand new to learning real estate and right now I'm seeking my niche approach.

You will do the most amount of volume here if you apply yourself, this approach will require that you work "full time", as well as nights and weekends. 

I think the tone is somewhat negative, but I agree with the overall approach.

I see out of state people make a few mistakes in their approach like not using attorneys to represent them in the purchase or downplaying issues that come up on inspections up front.  

if you bought with cash you can cashout refi or heloc typically 75% of the equity out of your rentalalso use extreme caution with someone approaching you with a "rent to buy" offer... could be a scam

Our approach: Risk management first, returns second...

I was hoping the bigger pockets family could give me a few suggestions, instances, warnings, or any general guidance as to how I should approach this or to where I might be able to educate myself some more on this aspect of investing. 

There is a lot of variation in neighborhood quality within Longmont, with some parts being fully gentrified (SE side which is rapidly approaching Boulder prices), others that are still "transitional" and also some pretty rough hoods that may never be nice (W/NW side).

We are at or approaching a peak/plateau in this cycle.