:Class A Properties:Cashflow vs Appreciation: Typically, 3-5 years for positive cashflow, but you get highest relative rent & value appreciation.Vacancy Est: Historically 10%, 5% the more recent norm.Tenant Pool: Majority will have FICO scores of 680+, zero evictions in last 7 years.Class B Properties:Cashflow vs Appreciation: Typically, decent amount of relative rent & value appreciation.Vacancy Est: Historically 10%, 5% should be applied only if proper research done to support.Tenant Pool: Majority will have FICO scores of 620-680, some blemishes, but should have no evictions in last 5 yearsClass C Properties:Cashflow vs Appreciation: Typically, high cashflow and at the lower end of relative rent & value appreciation.

Current loan is 420k and value at 545k, credit score 740+.

These are incredible insights and a lot of the things I have heard from everyone I have met in this industry. 

Also, any advice on finding and working with contractors would be incredibly helpful.

check Redfin's competitiveness score.

QUESTION-if i where to pay off those credit cards in the next year or two, get my credit score to the required number and have the correct debt to income ratio.

Well it DOES make sense in two other important ways:1) it's an incredibly strong incentive to pay your taxes....2) covers the risk that you don't get paid.

On the other hand, I would use a BLOC in the name of my business for deductible financing, that won't clutter up and impact my personal FICO score.

Rates right now will be around that 8% figure depending on LTV, credit score, etc...

With DSCR loans the base rate works off of credit score and LTV, think of an x and y axis.