You can make or loose money in any market.

If one buys a 1-unit residence for $100K, I believe, that they are loosing out on a largest opportunity of buying a 4-unit, for $1.4M, for example.

To summarize, if you close with same lenders, they are aware of both files and they will calculate the new total monthly debt, if you are not going with same lender then you should do the refi cash out first as the DTI (debt to income ratio) is more loose on HELOCs. 

(Monthly rent $1700 - this info is from the previous tenant that lived in this house) We would loose money if we sell our house now.

First of all, do not quit claim but use a warranty deed instead to avoid loosing your title insurance.Second, deed your property into a land trust where you are the initial beneficiary.

Use a warranty (or special warranty deed) instead to avoid risking loosing your title insurance.Also with your lender you may trigger the due on sale clause.

Violation code is very loose and not detailed. 

I have an application in front of me now where a prior landlord gave her a bad report because the vertical blinds were missing and an "excessive carpet cleaning" charge on move out.

Make some upgrades and sell it down the road and invest the profits.If you want to buy a rental and live in it first....then buy cheaper....much cheaper if you can stand it.While some people have traditionally bought, then moved, and rented the old house, you can also loose your nice capital gains exemption this way.   

We are only sorry that this caused you to loose faith in us.We also pride ourselves in our customer service skills and professional attitude which is reflected in our online reviews.We treat all of our investors with respect and expect no less from them in return.If there is a problem there are ways of dealing with them - demeaning, unprofessional attitudes, and slander are not the way.