If you use a DSCR loan you could maximize the equity you could take out while still breaking even on the mortgage + taxes + insurance.

Do not let this slide, even if the score impact is negligible.

If you are moving from your SFR to another property, then you should be able to get a 5% down loan or even 3% if it's FHA.  25% is only if you won't be living in the property in my experience.

How are you going to get "top lenders" to compete for your business,, if you haven't even established a relationship with them?

or even a local brick and mortar bank? 

I would focus on credit, consider some alternative options to "free your Benjamins" out of your home, or even consider doing a partial sale of your home to give you capital to get back at it!

We would rather buy in a higher class and have less cash flow/come out even and focus on appreciation and long term.

This happens 100% of the time a squatter presents a fake lease, deed or bill of sale.2) It takes several hours, if not days, and multiple calls for the police to show up.3) Even when they do show up and remove the squatters, the squatters sometimes break back in the same night.

In short, having all the conversations and commitments in strategy, setting up LLC and all the fun docs of who's doing what, and I'd suggest even getting initial funding into account for at least EM. 

Now this Jan 1st another slew that pressed the bar of standards and requirements even higher.