I applaud you for being willing to give up on some confort for getting into a stronger financial position and to be able to reach your long term goals. 

No, I am not friends with my tenants, but I am certainly friendly.One way to think about it is why would I be willing to rent to somebody that I wasn't confortable with knowing my name and home? 

money is expensive and prices are high so if you can find something that works in a area your confortable owing then do it. if you can't find something then hold off until you can and keep saving.

I echo the comments, get to know the local laws and ensure you are not increasing your risk past what you are confortable.

Beside what you buy, the rental will look at service, quality, transportation to the beach, make themselves confortable to work from there as well.

I see of lot these REOs sit b/c folks are confortable.

I would strongly advise to drive by and get a feeling of the street at night and see if you're confortable living there. 

maybe  cross colaterilization might make the lenders  more confortable

I'm looking for an agent who preferably has worked in the market for over 12 months, has experience working with investors, and is confortable and willing to work with an out of State investor. 

A rental payment is confortable for me at $!