Well said by @Matthew Becker! 

Is it an automated voice attendant, is it a call center where you are routed to someone else eventually to get an answer, or is it a live, well trained staff member?

If all goes well, I'm building the courage to surrender to the challenge. 

One is humid and one is dry, the types of activities to do are different in each city, take a look at where you would be the most happy as well if you're going to be living there!

I've been burned renting to friends, leasing rentals to friends doesnt end well. 

We have well over 100 Five Star Google reviews.

Well, of course - that's obvious - but most people in most places in the US are going to spend too much on their purchase because that's what's available.

HELOC rates are high right now as well, which most lenders would not give the full amount anyway (maybe $15,000-$20,000 max in a credit line) which would leave your only option to be FHA anyway and still be tight as your DTI would increase more based on that.

This also lets you know how well they did with their own portfolio.5.

Happy to report I took back possession with well over $140K in equity.Thanks for shedding light on the creative side of real estate.