In his view, our loans are part of his 'safe funds'.

This will keep you safe and your powder dry.If the lower comps DON'T work, there are 2 options:  1. pass on the deal, or 2. inspect a LOT more properties in your market so you become an expert in value there.  

We realize we wont get rich with this one, but its a small, safe option in a hot neighborhood (average DOM is, like, a week.)BUT- Rental here is also a hot commodity.

You could ask them to pay for a structural engineer to guarantee the property is safe.

Safe, solid communities.Otherwise, I love my area of Fredericksburg, VA for buy-and-hold investing.

I remember when I was first considering moving here I was comparing Sacramento to Gilbert, and I could spend the same to buy a house that was 40 years newer and totally remodeled... with way better schools and way more safe too.

The idea of investing in C/D class is to do minimum repairs only and by doing so provide a safe place to live.

Just remember you need to wage how safe you want to keep your home from a downturn. 

I don’t know how tall your roof is, but if you can shimmy up a ladder....I really do think you’d be covered with the advice above, but the ultimate way to be legally safe is just not go in at all and use the ladder if that’s practical.

I think you may be high on the 3 bedroom rent because that area is saturated so I would estimate lower on rents to be safe.