The upside is that higher rates have taken some of the competition out of the market, and in the event rates lower, you can refi and make a good deal that much better.Having said that, there are plenty of financing options and you should absolutely talk to several local lenders and shop it around.Using an FHA product to purchase a multi-unit where you live in one and rent the other(s) is one way to avoid some of the highest rates (house hacking).

Even with some people I believe are honest, I simply believe most do not properly analyze and manage risk, as is evident with nearly every syndication doing capital calls right now because they didnt properly plan for rising rates.Dave Van Horn however, along with his company PPR one of the few people I trust in the real estate space.

However, you must have reasonable limits and hold to them.I give a great example in my book where a tenant abandoned a 2,000-square-foot home full of nice furniture, expensive jewelry, a brand-new $2,000 rifle still in the box, etc.

Bringing in a partner, second mortgages, line of credit are sources of additional funding to close. 

You'll have a better understanding of who you are dealing with.

Painting, for instance- an amatuer could take their time and paint a house over the course of a couple weeks and do a great job, but a professional crew could do the entire job in a day. 

Many of those items are desirable by all guests, so I'm not convinced that you have to dial it in to one category at the expense of others.

I can guarantee she's never hired one.

The thing that you have to remember is that the path of progress and a neighborhood "turning over" moves at a glacial pace.

Of those two, I actually like the first one better because you have a competitive advantage to that market and the amenities you could provide.