Quote from @Donald Hatter: Pros:- Builders have many homes to sell at one time so it is easier to negotiate a better deal than with a home owner in the same neighborhood who is trying to sell their primary residence - Buyers bust out of deals all the time and builders don't like holding completed homes- Lower maintenance which leads to easier property management expenses.  

If utilities are present, the property is worth what other bare land properties in the area are worth.

@Shawn NofzigerHi Shawn,I came across your post and while I am a long way from Lansing, I work with a ton of new and aspiring investors and the challenges they have getting from idea to action. 

I run sum numbers for you please see comments below before refinancing and post refinancing .If I were in your position, I would approach it as follows:Initial Investment Assumptions: Market Value: $360,000 Purchase Price: $360,000 Equity: $0,000Financial Breakdown: Hard Money Loan (LTV 100%): $360,000 Interest Rate: 10% (30-Year Amortization) Monthly Payment: $1,995Upfront Costs: Origination fee (1%): $3,600 Closing Costs (3%): $10,800 Renovation Costs: $10,000 2 Month of Carrying Costs During Renovation: $5,390Total Upfront Required: $29,790Total Capital InvestmentPurchased price $360,000 Upfront Costs $29,790Total: $389,790To make this investment work, you need to rent the whole property for at least $3,165/month, refinance it let say after one year with 5% interest with a traditional mortgage.Year One Rent: Monthly Rent Income: $3,165 Monthly Rent Losses during renovations (2 Months): -$6,330 (-$527/month distributed over 12 months) Total Rent Income: $31,650 per year => $ 2,638 per monthMonthly Expenses: Hard Money Loan Payment (10% Interest): $1,995 / per month interest only Property Tax (Assuming $3,000/year): $250 per month Property Insurance (Assumption): $100 per month Utilities (Hydro, Gas, Water): $292 per month Assuming 0% Vacancy first year Assuming 0 % Repairs & Maintenance first year because unit has been recently renovated Total Monthly Expenses: $2,637Monthly Net Cash Flow: $1Post-Renovation Refinancing Strategy:So far, we’ve purchased the property, completed renovations, and rented it out.Next, you can approach the bank for a refinance to consolidate your initial investment of $29,790 plus your 360k debt into a mortgage.

I recently flew to hawaii from AMEX Platinum Points but it was just because I did the opening card promotion minimum amount and got a ton of points.

it's just a longer time horizon. reality as well if your wanting to be able to live off of real estate rental income you need a ton of RE unless your paying cash for everything and when you own a ton of RE rentals your simply trading one job for another..

For expenses like utilities, property tax, and insurance, I estimate a 3% yearly increase.However, keep in mind that if you do renovations in the first year, it’s likely you won’t need the full 5% repair allocation for the first or even second year.

Other than outstanding taxes, and utilities, I don't need to worry about anything else.

they will lose a ton of interest on 5.5% loan if we refi with someone else, but it would likely be 7% so its a lose-lose, they will lose our business and it could be in their favor to just drop the abusive term, ridiculous that a conventional loan doesn't let you keep the place after moving out. never saw that coming and this type of "pulling a fast one" is exactly why the other buyer who couldn't be present on closing specified that the power of attorney for signing closing documents was limited to exclude anything unnecessary. 

Does anyone utilize a line of credit as an emergency fund?