Major squirrel infestation in the attic - in this case, the investor was flipping a previously bank owned property which sat vacant for a couple years.

Other animals like squirrels and chipmunks will eat and die from rat bait.

You could probably pull out 110k there (80% LTV) and move on to the next duplex with a super low down payment and keep that capital squirrelled away.

Second, if your projected cash flow is $230 less unplanned expenses, will this amount you make each month be larger enough than the extra rent you are going to pay for renting out a bigger home to justify this investment?

What clauses can I suggest to protect myself if I need to exit due to health, change of business, other unplanned event, etc. 

Of course I would do squirrels in the chimney.

Here are a few tips:Look regionally, Texas as a whole is a strong market but Houston for example is just starting to soften.Save money, now is a good time to store away resources like a squirrel storing away nuts.

My husband and I just did our first unplanned flip and are currently looking for property to reinvest our gains in(1031).

Below is how I break down the 50% rule to my clients here in Connecticut.The 50% is a short term & long term view of maintenance that needs to be and will need to be done.It is much better to have adequate reserves than to be "chasing" that money for years after a significant unplanned repair needs to be made.Now, if the subject property has ZERO deferred maintenance and I mean ZERO, maybe there is some wiggle room, but I would still stick to the 50% rule.This way when repairs do come up you can take care of them and not leave them neglected because money is tight.Overpaying for a property impacts a lot of things including the ability to be patient when filling vacancies along with being able to address maintenance issues when they arise.Just my $.02.

I have it on all my properties, it's saved me big $$$ last summer when they replaced (3) old A/C units and a chewed wire (squirrel) in one of my attics.