I'm willing to leave the property empty for a year to take advantage of owner occupied loans, if that's possible.Here are my estimates..Property: 1,355 sq ft, | 3br 2bath | 8,500 sq ft lotComps / ARV: 500-560k ~ 530kTotal Needed: 340-400k ~370kSale Price: 270-310k ~ 290kRenovations: 70-90k ~ 80kSevere cleaning needed (doing myself)Severe landscaping needed, it's a jungleI'd like to maximize potential value and be at the top of in-area comps, so would like to do a full gutCash on hand: 20k - 30k------------I'm considering,- Seller financing + separate renovation loan- FHA 203K (BRRR)- Fannie Mae Homestyle Renovation (if down payment is below 5%) (BRRR)------------Seller Financing + Separate Renovation LoanPros:Low down payment (via seller willingness) <= 3%Low interest rate (via seller willingness) <= 3%Cons:I'm unaware of how I can finance rehab without a personal loanMust cash-out refinance to obtain equity, conventional loan rate will not be as good------------FHA 203KPros:Low down paymentBundles rehab costsCons:Higher interest rate than the seller financed loanMust cash-out refinance in order to obtain equity and make an investment property------------Fannie Mae Homestyle RenovationPros:Bundles rehab costsCons:Higher interest rate than the seller financed loanMust cash-out refinance in order to obtain equity and make an investment property------------I may be totally off on what would be optimal here but wanted to provide my current thoughts.

Financial freedom requires:Your rental income must increase faster than inflation so you will have enough money to cover inflated costs in the future.

Yeah at the time I was a foreman on a construction crew for a local contractor/my beat friend and mentor, so I had a truck full of all the tools, access to leftover materiels needed as well as a significant amount of experience so yes I personally added a second bathroom and as far as the 5th bedroom goes, it was just a matter of putting a door on the "living room".

Because you are literally guessing at market rent and the PM will…1) keep your application and denial process legal2) advertise, screen and place the new tenant faster and better3) probably save you more money than they cost you. 

I suspect you would go much further, faster, if you take on the tasks that add the greatest value. 

Are you saying you think they will continue to drop under Trump like they have under Biden, or drop even faster?

But I don't want to be living with strangers, I was thinking if I make my own room(something small like in the garage). and only sleep/be at the house half of the time will I still be considered a primary resident and will that be okay with FHA guidelines as long as I don't tell them?

Columbus long term is most likely going to beat Cleveland in terms of appreciation but you can't get into equity quicker than in Cleveland when doing value adds, flips or even just buy and holds priced under market etc. for example.

Also, what are you main reasons for looking to STF in Rockford, not knocking the area by any means but there is so much opportunity within the city limits where you're less likely to have extended vacancies.Short term rentals have taken a beating this year, while long term rentals have seen an uptick in what they can charge due to high home prices, and inflated interest rates.

If you want the job done faster and for less money , have as little stuff in the house and have 2 or 3 rooms empty to work on . 12 to 18 months is a long time for a cosmetic rehab .