But this is Rare.. you cant compare most low value areas of cities in the mid west or Rust belt to Charleston SC.. 

The help I have provided with a few home remodels has consisted of kitchen and bathroom layouts, flow and functionality, fixtures and finishes of the home, all while trying to stay within budget.  

@Manjari Pandey noted.Yes agree the reservations for April have slowed compared to last year.

I've asked lender multiple times if there is any way to avoid it and they answer is a consistent NO.

But…as soon as you pay cash, now you have to compare it to a GUARANTEED 5% bank return on your money.

If you sue, and have to "prove" that the neighbor was negligent, then that would likely need to consist of multiple “written” communications from you, the city, or an arborist to your neighbor stating that you/they feel the tree in question is diseased, appears to be dead/dying, is overgrown and posing a potential threat to your property, etc.

Go down to the bone as long as you have consistent income.

But there are also some real challenges, like dealing with lower tenant quality on average, the extra red tape, annual inspections, and the longer time it takes to get tenants placed compared to the open market.

Columbus is going to be a market with more expansive growth compared to Cleveland, which is currently pretty steady with higher cash flow but less appreciation. 

As I've compared the two, I feel that the Fannie Mae Homestyle product is an easier process.