I moved from Portland OR to Columbus OH because of lower entry costs and strong population and job market growth trends.

The key is the fed knows they need to help mortgage rates right now so if they lower the fed rate AND stop selling the treas bonds in their porfolio, that will help create more demand for bond sales to keep prices up and get rates down a bit.I can see mortgage rates hitting 5 to 5.25 by spring of next year. 

@Jose QuinonesVA loans include advantages such as no down payment, lower interest rates, and increased cash flow potential for house buyers.

Smoke and carbon monoxoide detectors & fire extinguisher. 

Quote from @John Carbone: I think the Brandon Hall proposal is very interesting.

I haven't used the VA loan before, so I'll have a lower VA funding fee.

Subsidized housing and incentives for developers to create affordable units are also critical, especially for supporting lower-income families.

Understood there are other factors to account for including loan pay down, tax benefits, lower rent etc.

I know, it's a long shot, since typically appraisal contingency only covers a situation where the appraisal is lower than the sale price. 

. - Ideally you want both but with a lower down payment, the less cash flow you have due to high mortgage.