If, a year from now, you have an extra $20k piled up because you have been serious about this, it established a bit of a track record and proves that you are a doer and not just a dreamer.I would also express gratitude that you have a partner that is so cautious.

Just check the facts and figures.Like you suggested, there are various opinions, which are all valuable and it's great like that.

His information is faulty, his approach is to "overleverage", "zero down" and in my opinion the information he leaves out is either lack of experience on his part or intentional deception, neither of which I am willing to be associated with.He leaves out very important information, like what my buddy recently posted at Using Subject To, to Get "Free" Properties - A Quick Guidelinehttps://www.biggerpockets.com/forums/311/topics/1188416-usin...We teach even the downside of Subject To and how to avoid the pitfalls.

Feel free to dm me if you want a 3rd opinion on your home. 

The 50% rule - in my opinion- is used solely as a quick back of napkin calculation to determine if it is worthwhile to do more investigating of a property. 

Budget these carefully into your overall project plan to avoid surprises.Rehab Budget: Ensure that bids are received from multiple contractors and that adequate reserves are made for cost overruns.ARV: Be conservative on your ARV since the appraisal concerns one person’s opinion.

What’s your opinion? 

I know this is an old thread.I'd like to get a more recent opinion of these apps.I think the DFD options is very interesting.What we want to do is endorse one of these for our Real Estate Club in Greenville, SC and have a contest for our members to see who can find the most deals with the software.Maybe try and get a rep from the company we choose to come and speak at one of our in person meeting and also negotiate a longer trial window if possible for our members.

With that said, here is an opinion: You cannot write off anything you use as a personal residence.

Everyone on BP is entitled to their own opinion.