I am planning to get into the TN real estate market as my first investment and am looking for some information.In particular: Areas to steer clear of, property management fees, typical cosmetic rehab costs, etc.My strategy is to put large down payments on 2 properties (relative to housing prices) to help pay for my living in NY while still gaining appreciation in a growing real estate market.

This move-in ready house features a stove/oven, refrigerator, and dishwasher in the kitchen.

At another property with just the sidewalk I let the tenants take care of it, but the liability of these steep stairs makes it too important for it to be haphazard or me having to scold them to shovel and salt the walk and steps.I know in snowy areas people with houses contract plowing for the winter at a flat rate.

What surprised me is that USAA covered all of those houses.  

You are a high w2 earner, The house is worth 110k today, you are buying from your grandma for 60k in exchange for free rent for life, upside ARV of 200k.The costs of owning the house will help provide tax relief on your high w2 earnings, you are buying a great chunk of equity that will pay off in the future, and you and your grandma are doing each other solids. 

I wanted your typical 3 bedroom house (not necessarily 2 bath) which cash flows.

In order to help finance the care, we are currently renting house and foresee needing to draw equity from it in the future. 

This puts the current market rents of $885–$925 per unit well within the affordable range, with room for modest increases post-renovation.I’ve also reviewed competing properties in the area; apartments seem to be listed between 975 -1000, and houses are listed between 1300-1900.

@Matt Weddon - make sure all reasoning & communication around the rejection stays clear of all federal AND state protected classes under Fair Housing.

We did quite well in the Timber game in the 90s Owned many thousands of acres of Timberland during that time its a great industry one of the favorite things I ever did beat the heck out of rental houses LOL