The month before it was considerably lower.

So you have to take that in consideration if you are investing in a property targeted at families. 

Likely they will stay below 5% for the next 12 months and depending on the Presidential election and who gets elected, they could stay below 5% for considerably longer.Eventually in 4-8 years, they will be back to 6-6.5% which is where the financial system hums right along.  

Obviously, there are other key considerations for deciding on the above.

Remember, and FHA loan can require as little as 3.5%for your down payment.So take 3.5% of a MFH and I'd you have that amount, you can get started.Of course you need to take into consideration the closing costs (you can make the seller pay up to 6%of them.

When figuring out the split, do we take into consideration the amount of money I brought to the table from the loan?  

While I can only speak to my own market...while prices are up in my market considerably, Im finding the driving factor to be all cash buyers and high down payment buyers.

She and her husband bought at the height of the market thinking the only changes they had to tackle were dated floral wallpaper and paint colors. 

I wouldn't spend a considerable amount of effort only focusing on that asset class.

I've read many considerations once a location is determined, but getting that narrowed down seems to be the biggest obstacle at the moment.