For one thing many conventional loans don't care about repairs while some are as strict as FHA.

A strict interest rate analysis would make this issue a no brainer, the credit cards bear heavier interest burdens.

That increases my desired return.8% IMO is too little to justify for strict cash flow.

Also this is an FHA closing so I am not sure if that will play into this either, having strict requirements.

Is this an adventure to be managed and worked, or is this strictly passive income generation?

I'd say it's better to partner and you swing a hammer along side matching funds with someone who can carry a deal with you rather than getting involved as a strict lender and trying to meet the issues mentioned above. :)

For real estate, I would strictly stick to the big names.

It's going to depend on the town and how strict they are.

I'm new to the forum and came across your post, the tenet laws are strict in DC and depending on your questions regarding the law you should consult a title company or real estate lawyers in the area.

So, discussing "no debt vs debt" in a discussion about "more debt is worse than less debt" is just a red herring.You can't borrow your way out of debt.In a strictly literal sense, that is true.