I know I definitely need to peruse some of the other forums, however I'm assuming having three months mortgage set aside to cover tenant vacancy would be somewhat adequate( I know it's probably not ideal, but I could maintain the additional mortgage short term on my salary if I needed to)? 

So 150,000 liquid minimum between cash value of life insurance policy, 401k,IRA, CD, Savings,Checking, Stocks,etc.

Our agents have 6 ways to acquire stock, including stock grants and a stock purchase program.4.

Now that you have identified the best area to purchase, and rent comps in that particular area, you can work your numbers backward to figure out what you can spend in order to get into that area and still maintain your goals on the backside.

If you are betting on a particular housing market to appreciate x% a year, why not just invest in the stock market?

Most of the suburbs have a Point of Sale and Rental inspections so there is some added cost but it will help to ensure your property is maintained for the long term.

I've been analyzing lots of deals lately and the main thing I'm focused on is cash flow, for example I find a deal that is cash on cash of 13% and say to myself that its better than the stock market etc.however when you add the debt pay down into the equation, the net benefit is increased dramatically, here is a calculation I did, no crazy expectations, everything increasing at 2.5% annually.after a year I cashflow $2,850 however I've also gained 2,124 in equity, totaling 4,974. so in reality my actual return is much greater 12.20% cash on cash - (2124 equity after a year and as a percentage of the 22250 paid = 9.54%9.54% + 12.20% = 21.7% so really I am making a 20% return on my investment.why doesn't everyone do this calculation?

Even if you're all cash, 7% CoC return isn't much different than throwing your money into low risk stocks/bonds.

Dedicate yourself to maintain control of everything you are responsible for.

I'm on a block of well maintained mostly owner occupied homes.What I looked for is what kind of shape the other properties on the block are in.