So give those folks the choice...go pick veggies or lose your welfare payment.

.- Most contractors will cut corners, or worse, once they figure out they won't be watched closely:( Your job will also go to the bottom of their priority list.Monitoring progress is relatively easy: hire that same inspector to go by weekly or before any payments to take a VIDEO of:1) What was done2) Quality of workmanshipOne other thing you didn't ask about, payments to contractors.- They all want 50% down or as much as they can squeeze out of you. 

It’s never as simple as it first appears, which is why we always advise our clients to let the math guide the choice.

Smoky Mountains seems to be a solid choice but I wonder about oversaturation and competition in that area?  

If there is a choice to be made, it comes down to what an investor "likes" or prefers about one over the other? 

We get just as frustrated because the system is a bit "broken":(I believe the team is in communication with you about your options - just be sure to also let us know your choice to secure the property to deter squatters as cost-effectively as possible.

Others are responsible with their budget and can stretch a dollar.If they are excellent renters, I would offer them the option to renew and let them make the choice.

An experienced broker with lots of choices at the palm of their hand is probably the best bet.

A FHA 203k Loan is where the purchase price and rehab costs are rolled into a single loan.Assuming you have a respectable FICO you can buy, with a FHA Loan (3-5% down, a 30 year amortization schedule, and a residential loan rate) AND because you closed personally, you will not have Asset Protection, in the form of closing in the name of a LLC/ LLC taxed as an S Corp, or an S Corp.

A colleague recently closed on a 12-unit property in San Antonio and shared that a 6.8% cap rate, combined with lower property taxes, made it a no-brainer.