Could anyone share their experience or advice on when is "too low"?

3 months expenses?

If it's owner occupied, you could buy at as low as 3.5-5% down, which would qualify you for a higher value home.

Takes less than 1 hour to set up and is low cost.

I assume you put in all your expenses in Quick books?

I'm thinking about buying a unit from Lowes or Home Depot myself and then finding someone to install for me.

@Kent SmithYour CPA is wrong - you can deduct operating expenses against rental income to get to zero.If you have a net loss after this, that loss is NOT deductible and will be carried forward.Review Schedule E and it will clarify how this all works.Schedule E go to IRS site and take a look and also review instructions.Good luck.Arm

Most basements in DC are too low to get legal heights.  

For someone who is going to be a hands own operator and rely on real estate as their full time employment in lieu of a W2 job, or foresees that transition at some point,  buying the entry level low barrier assets can serve a useful function.

The Sale Price vs List Price in Springfield is some of the highest in Massachusetts, but looks to have possibly been influenced by the low sales in January and has quickly come down below 1%.