Using a lower-cost skip tracing service and then a call/mail/sms campaign service separately may reduce your costs.

For one, the rental income tends to be lower than with short-term stays due to the necessary discounts, yet we still face most of the usual costs, aside from savings on cleaning and supplies.

There is always a chance that rates will drop, but I would imagine $25K would buy down the annual rate so significantly that you would never see a lower rate offered by a bank so you wouldn't even think about refinancing.

That will keep your holding costs lower.

I just put two long-term rental properties on the market that we rehabbed in desirable area of West End Boise and demand is a little lower than expected.

Full construction costs I dont always get relayed to me by the developer, but we were significantly lower than even 1 million on the LS. 

The lower in Class you go, the higher the risk!

For example, if their lender drags things out and ends up offering mortgage conditions that are wildly different than what we have discussed then I would be forced to accept those conditions or lose $50k.I have also asked if they could lower their earnest money deposit demand to something more reasonable, which they have refused.

On the other hand, it could also mean there are lots of other desirable houses hitting the market, making older properties less desirable and/or lowering demand. 

Lower-Priced Neighborhoods: For properties built post-1970, consider focusing on the C+ or B- neighborhoods in OKC.