Not everyone has the same risk appetite and this is not a conversation you want to be having when you're going through a rough patch.  

@James Farrel Unfortunately, there is on answer for a question like this as some companies risk appetite can be different than others (i.e. brick vs. frame and sqft.).

Due to the scope of the renovations we have to bring everything up to code and we plan to install fire suppression.

There's pretty good lender appetite for those kinds of loans right now.  

Hi John, it really depends on your appetite for risk, desired returns, funds available.I could point you towards a few investment opportunities (new builds) I know of.

Interest rate increases by the Fed leading to suppressed home prices, lower volume? 

Next you have 5 year arms, which is mostly commercial.If it's a 30 year, nothing is likely going to happen, those some people could have a 2nd with a HELOC, so that could affect them in real time, thus suppressing their spending power, or forcing them to sell or be foreclosed on.You also have 5y arms, as they come due they will have to pay it off.

I think lenders look for hard numbers on a deal to determine if it will satisfy the appetite of the institution.  1.

As for the pros and cons of buying outright in cash, it depends on your appetite for risk.

So, housing demand is suppressed artificially - latent demand, if uncorked, would send home prices into inter-stellar space.