At that price, I'm assuming you have some major rehab to do, but maybe not.Not an accountant, but from my own research if you use the IRA you need to have enough in that IRA to cover all the property expenses.

Might be difficult and/or expensive to hire someone at the moment.

Please click on the links, give them a read, and share your thoughts in the comments.First is a post that I feel will help not get overwhelmed with the amount of info that is here on BP:https://www.biggerpockets.com/blogs/5868/52761-the-simple-guide-to-getting-started-on-bp The second is a post that will help get you focused with your real estate investing goals:https://www.biggerpockets.com/blogs/5868/52743-im-new-to-bp-any-advice-would-be-appriciatedThe last one is a post that will help you choose an “investor friendly” real estate agent.

You shouldn’t be that tight in funds that a month is going to hurt your ability to pay the mortgage and expenses .

I'm seeking how best to manage the disproportionate expenses during the initial phase of rehab.

I don't know that I've ever met a 1st gen African LO, but I've met 1st gen LO Russians, Latinas, Brits... and to the extent that African accents are associated with "Nigerian Prince" schemes, note that the overwhelming majority of LOs doing shady things circa 2004-2007 had accents identical to what you would expect my accent to be based on my profile picture, so you certainly shouldn't assume that I'm not shady based on my accent any more than you should assume someone is shady if they have an accent that sounds African.

The interest rate might be higher, but perhaps the reduced expenses will offset some of that increase, or?  

Please click on the links, give them a read, and share your thoughts in the comments.First is a post that I feel will help not get overwhelmed with the amount of info that is here on BP:https://www.biggerpockets.com/blogs/5868/52761-the-simple-guide-to-getting-started-on-bp The second is a post that will help get you focused with your real estate investing goals:https://www.biggerpockets.com/blogs/5868/52743-im-new-to-bp-any-advice-would-be-appriciatedThe last one is a post that will help you choose an “investor friendly” real estate agent.

Your expenses do qualify for the SH but some will argue it also depends if the work is done before or after placing in service. 

Please click on the links, give them a read, and share your thoughts in the comments.First is a post that I feel will help not get overwhelmed with the amount of info that is here on BP:https://www.biggerpockets.com/blogs/5868/52761-the-simple-guide-to-getting-started-on-bp The second is a post that will help get you focused with your real estate investing goals:https://www.biggerpockets.com/blogs/5868/52743-im-new-to-bp-any-advice-would-be-appriciatedThe last one is a post that will help you choose an “investor friendly” real estate agent.