I am originally from Ohio and have considered moving back to invest in some areas that I know would appreciate and cash-flow.

Originally posted by @Chris Wilson:Into a HELOC in December.

: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+ (roughly 5% probability of default), 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 (around 10% probability of default), 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.

@DeAndre MasonIf you are only 2 points off being able to accomplish your financing, mortgage brokers should have resources to refer you to be able to boost your credit score.  

Originally, we were told these 5 acres was land locked.

The company doesn't really have a "credit score" or "eviction history" so I'm thinking about asking for 1.5x or 2x monthly rent as a deposit (we normally do 1x month rent) just like I would for a tenant without established credit history.Thanks!

After a lot of research it doesn’t seem like single family investing is very lucrative, unless you score a killer off-market deal.

Originally, we were told these 5 acres was land locked.

Well, we ended up having to negotiate and buy that lot, which wasn't part of the original budget. 

Originally I used Mint, then Personal Capital, followed by Mint again.