@Andrew McGuireI am not here to promote or denounce your above method of choice.

Your post makes it seem like you are sure you made all the right choices, but gosh darnit, the market is the problem and you and your partner aren't to blame.

Choices choices choices lol. 

White comes in 10000 shades, trim, floor, exterior, mood, room, available light all are part of paint choices.

A choice to live OUT LOUD, or tip-toe to an end. 

Mostly just went with my gut I bought it during a crazy time single family homes are being bought only hours after coming on the market I had the choice between this house and another the other was slightly bigger with a basement in the porch but the roof did not seem bonded in my Spidey senses told me there might be Foundation issues in mold due to a smell while inspecting the house admittedly the house I bought is 950 ft has no basement and is a two bedroom one bath with a detached garage How did you finance this deal?

Then once I’ve narrowed it down to my top 2-3 choices I have the 1st one do background checks/credit checks through MySmartMove.com.

Almost always a better choice in the long run. 

Start there it will offer many more options and choices than the 'loan officer' at your bank branch.

As an investor, you should only make numbers-based purchases.Also, agents are only transaction-based - if they make a mistake (or choose to take advantage of your naivete) they still get their commission check and can disappear:(So, a great PMC is often the best choice to start with, since they obviously know the rental market and they have to deal with whatever they help you buy, on a daily basis after the purchase!