That is what the national guidelines call for.

Quote from @V.G Jason: Quote from @Jay Hinrichs: The mindset of cash flow is everything and appreciation is just luck or gambling or whatever these folks say is one of the worst mindsets I see on BP.

You can also check online resources like BiggerPockets or Roofstock, which offer general CapEx guidelines based on property type and age.These methods should help you perform a solid preliminary analysis.

If you hired an agent or a broker to work with you, you'd be covered - but regulations & laws vary from place to place.Screening is best done by establishing a set of guidelines to qualify applicant tenants, then sticking to those rules to avoid legal issues (and for your own sanity).

At that point things are more of a gamble. 

Simple appreciation is a gamble because you have no control over it, so don't consider it.

It feels like DSCR lenders are catering to BRRRR investors more now than ever with short seasoning guidelines, air tight DSCR requirements (1.0), etc. 

@Vince Nguyen Yes you can absolutely do that, but there are lender specific guidelines you have to meet. 

I believe they changed the guidelines years ago on the amount of seller assist you can receive on an FHA loan, so I’d look into that with your mortgage company before making an offer, but definitely use that to your advantage when writing an offer!

@Ahmed MoustafaThe general Fannie Mae guidelines you mentioned are for non-renovation loans.