Yet, too many of those posting advice for you have no clue on the risks they are advising you to take.You're pinching pennies to save $8k with 3 kids. - What would happen if you lost it all?

Personally I don't keep much cash on hand for emergencies, but I do have a large untapped HELOC that I can use in a pinch.

In a pinch you can check drafts with a lighter and see if the flame flickers. 

She did move in two cats during her tenancy (with my permission after the fact), and the house was left in fairly good condition when she moved out:Most holes were patched (though some in the basement were missed).It was moderately clean but needed extra cleaning due to cat hair in the carpets.Minor issues included:A missing doorbell.Missing shower hardware.One of the window blinds needed replacement.A truck bed full of items left in the shed that I had to haul away.Since I was in a pinch between Christmas and New Year’s, I hired professional cleaners for a quick turnaround.

@Evan Coopersmith penny-pinching is an easy way to crash.

However, due to rising insurance and tax costs, I'm starting to feel the financial pinch as the tenant currently pays rent 60% below the market average.My long-term goal is to acquire more properties, and I've considered doing a cash-out refinance to access equity for reinvestment.

If that makes home buying affordable without putting you in a pinch financially, go for it.

It's difficult to have a site with the functionality of BP that works the same on an app; a lot of designers are moving towards phone-optimizing language that essentially gives you the website on your phone without you having to pinch or drag to make the view make sense.

The penny pinching and essentially slum lording of STR's at least in my experience is over. 

Yes, I self manage, but I do work with a local cleaner that helps when in a pinch, and either myself or my husband are up there about once a week.