On the other hand, if you're working with a lower budget and cash flow is your priority, say under $180k, Cleveland is the place to look.

Be mindful of short-term capital gains tax, as profits from flips held for less than a year are taxed as ordinary income, and frequent flipping may result in self-employment taxes.While profits from flips do not qualify for 1031 exchanges (since flips are considered inventory, not investment properties), you can minimize your tax burden by deducting allowable expenses like renovation costs, loan interest, and holding expenses.If you're considering diversifying into rentals, explore opportunities to benefit from long-term tax advantages such as depreciation and lower long-term capital gains rates.

Others wont touch anything lower than $500 in cash flow.

A smaller mortgage means lower overhead, which is crucial if you’re worried about vacancies.

The couple's current rent is similar to ours The sister is has no rental history due to a recent divorce.We're torn given 2 out of the 3 people have lower credit scores and it's not a family moving in.

if it is a BRRRR you'd pay the seller off when you refinanced into long term debt, either conventional or DSCR.i don't know anything about the location, market, etc. but if it needs a 40K rehab, you need to push the purchase price even lower than 140K, or it will not work as a BRRRR. 

that we’ve learned in our 24 years, managing almost 700 doors across the Metro Detroit area, including almost 100 S8 leases:Class A Properties:Cashflow vs Appreciation: Typically, 3-5 years for positive cashflow, but you get highest relative rent & value appreciation.Vacancy Est: Historically 10%, 5% the more recent norm.Tenant Pool: Majority will have FICO scores of 680+ (roughly 5% probability of default), zero evictions in last 7 years.Class B Properties:Cashflow vs Appreciation: Typically, decent amount of relative rent & value appreciation.Vacancy Est: Historically 10%, 5% should be applied only if proper research done to support.Tenant Pool: Majority will have FICO scores of 620-680 (around 10% probability of default), some blemishes, but should have no evictions in last 5 yearsClass C Properties:Cashflow vs Appreciation: Typically, high cashflow and at the lower end of relative rent & value appreciation.

Two things are certain, 1) taxes are lower today than they've ever been in the past 80 years. 2) they are certain to be higher in the future.We should all be focused on paying the lowest “lifetime tax bill” not the “lowest tax bill this year”.By paying 20% and settling up my long-term capital gains is not a bad deal.

Balancing that with wanting to do something to maintain affordable housing for those in mid to lower income brackets.  

Go for a lower downpayment.