Another option is to find a cosigner, which will dramatically increase the income factor in that DTI (but make sure they do not have a ton of debt or that won't help you). 

I’ve done research and found out that things like paying off credit cards and paying rent on time can boost it.

With hard money you have fewer dollars in the deal and therefore increase your IRR dramatically (and in some cases reduce your risk).

The weather is dramatically different here and I just want to be aware and prepared for the "what-ifs", so to speak.

They won’t, you’ll receive nothing -- this is a competitive business.Additionally, if you charge points and do a calculation, you’ll see your ROI increases dramatically when you get paid back sooner.

Another way to boost your credit is to piggyback off of someone's good CC.

Obviously, it's a huge disservice if a listing broker will not offer commissions to buyers broker as that cuts down the buyer pool dramatically.

As a resident, I'm very aware that property tax increases can vary dramatically year to year.

So at least I’m getting a confidence boost.

In other words, if you boost one unit from a $600 to a $900, it's going to be hard to rent that one unit while the other 3 are still too far below that standard.