If the rate is reasonable then it may make sense to try to save fast to get to the 3.5% down payment on a double or triple - househacking may allow you to increase your savings rate and pay down that loan even faster.As for estimating costs, closing in NY factor at least 1% of the mortgage amount for tax, plus $1500-2000 for lawyer, title and fees, then the amount required by the bank for escrow will depend on the actual property taxes and insurance.

In order to past this SS test, your appraised market gross rental income at 75% has to be more/equal to your monthly mortgage payment (PITIA).

How can you find out if an existing mortgage is assumable?

This can be extremely costly.We have a two step program has no waiting period at all and will end up being quite a bit cheaper then the 3 month waiting period on closing costs, rate and NO pre-payment penalty. 

In addition, a motion for default was filed against an outstanding mortgage for another $ 367k which was personally guaranteed as well.Keep watching the Kiyo v BTC and Dream CQ Holdings V BTC cases as both of these have a potential basis for piercing the corporate veil.  

I use wise.com to send money internationally, much cheaper than PayPal...

I am an investor, agent, and mortgage lender here in AZ who primarily does investment transactions.

Not sure the final outcome, but I'm guessing that is a case where you think things are risk free, but I expect the purchaser was out significant legal fees that were not reimbursed and ended up not getting the property.I've always thought about this in the rare instance that a super nice and super valuable property goes to sale with a mortgage on it. 

Is an LTR with a paid off mortgage.

It still is very possible to find properties that meet the 1% rule without much difficulty; but it’s also tougher now to find a mortgage for anything valued under $100k – regardless of condition or P&L.To me, the shenanigans Code Enforcement continues to play on a new owner after a sale plus the recent increase on the annual rental registration fee really discourages buying more in the City.