Judicious use of leverage (debt) when the property will still cash flow positive after debt service; when there’s enough equity left in the property to refinance if advantageous, and when sufficient reserves are held to cover vacancies, recessions, and unexpected repairs5.

With this option, we're wondering if it's better to offer it as a 3 bed 1.5 bath with 2 bonus rooms (which we live out of), or rework one of the rooms into an actual bedroom to make it a 4 bed.With either option, we're also wondering if it's best to have the cashflow of our current house to offset any unexpected expenses, or if we should pay extra and try to pay off our current house as soon as possible.

Reading through the contract offer that my longtime buyer's agent has prepared, I was surprised to see closing date August 7 and first payment due September 1.My understanding is that the buyer normally gets the remainder of the calendar month after closing date, plus the next full calendar month, before first payment is due on the first of the following month.

I'm surprised a lender on a residential property would be this involved. 

Hang in there and try to keep yourself motivated.. you may be surprised to the upside in the end.

I'd be surprised if the hospital isn't paying her something given she was to start in 2 days and they pushed it back a week.I see that you updated things and she's pretty much arriving when you expected her to (within a day or two). 

Utility bills can also be surprisingly below expectations. 

The house was built in 1913, so I'd be very surprised if there were any new settling.

But if you're realtor is not pointing out issues that could get flagged during this inspection you might have some surprises on the deal.

I am very surprised by this.