If they are CF positive then they will not cohnt against your DTI but will improve it...that's standard conventional guidelines barring a few exceptions.

The standard legal procedure, as far as I understand in NC is the landlord must make reasonable effort to re-rent the property (which I will), and any vacant time till new tenants are found must be paid by previous tenants.

I had two lines of credit one unsecured for 5 million ( check book) and another for 10 million that we would secure them up with .. but you need time to do that bank required appraisal etc before we could tag the secured line and even at that they only lent 72% in these commercial loan structures..

Here are a few suggestions on how you can maximize the wealth of information available: Check out the blogs and podcasts, or take advantage of the search feature (magnifying glass).

Property values and interest rate (but with higher standards) were lower in 2012 than 2007.In general it is often true, but not always.  

Here are a few suggestions on how you can maximize the wealth of information available: Check out the blogs and podcasts, or take advantage of the search feature (magnifying glass).

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Recommend you first figure out the property Class you want to invest in, THEN figure out the corresponding location to invest in.Property Class will typically dictate the Class of tenant you get, which greatly IMPACTS rental income stability and property maintenance/damage by tenants.If you apply Class A assumptions to a Class B or C purchase, your expectations won’t be met and it may be a financial disaster.If you buy/renovate a property in Class D area to Class A standards, what quality of tenant will you get?

Check with your municipality about how property taxes will change when you buy the place.

@Stacie TellesMost lenders have a seasoning period (typically 6-12 months since the original loan), so check with your current bank or shop around for others.I would also watch out for prepayment penalties on your current loan.

Check out this table: https://www.municode.com/library/ca/oakland/codes/...This is what you're looking for: https://www.screencast.com/t/Xkyp3OZWkI Oakland, for a building with 3 units or more you need to have a lot sized at 7,500 sq ft.  --- From the zoning code it says, an RM-2 zoned lot can have "1 unit per 2,500 sf. of lot area"If you don't meet that lot size requirement you'll need to make a request for a variance, then post notice about the desired change in front of the building.