In my opinion, the marginal protection benefit doesn't justify the extra costs and worse financing terms.

Are you certain the after repair value will justify this $40,000 budget?

From there, I would like to explore house hacking/the BRRR strategy, but I know there are rules, regulations, and connections I will need to make all this happen.If anyone is willing to have a conversation or thinks they could use my help in bettering their real estate business in return for some advice, I would love to at the very least create some new relationships.Here is my 2.6 cents adjusted for inflation...What about getting a realtor license?

Your total rent is $2,500 on a $500,000 purchase price which would be 1/2 percent rule.

Once I got over the idea of giving up my low rate, it made a ton of sense.In my opinion, letting the equity just sit there isn’t justified by holding onto a low rate.

Thanks for any help’ Yes we're licensed there and FHA guides in one state apply to all states unless a state has a specific law that supercedes the FHA lending guideline.FHA is always 3.5% down minimum (in some cases less because you're using a DPA or down payment assistance program or 2nd lender to put down over all a lower down payment than 3.5%, Aka for instance 3.5% DPA + 96.5% FHA = 100% financing but just dont kid yourself this is fully 100% leverage and to be used with caution and carefully).In the case of 2-4 unit FHA is still 3.5% down payment @Matthew Kwan @Carlos ValenciaThere are rules regarding FHA such as:- primary residence - you must occupy one of the 2-4 unit property as your primary over 50% of the year and the underwriter needs to believe you will remain and have the ability to live in there, any deviation from this and you'll get a whole laundry list of conditions asking you to prove why you should be believed to be living or will live there (if this arises dont be surprised, it just means the UW doesnt believe you).- SS rule - self sufficiency rule - gross rents of all potential units 2-4  X gross rents at 75% needs to meet 1:1 or 100% of the monthly PITIA payment or greater.

New neighborhoods can be brutal on investors with rules. 

Quote from @Sarah Rhee: I have a real simple rule for investing: never sell an investment unless you can move the money to a better-performing asset, or if the sale will move you closer to your goal.Your situation doesn't meet my rules.

That's the general rule.

Don't waste your time trying to explain or justify the applicant's behavior.