And no, NEVER take partial rent....it harms your case. https://guides.sll.texas.gov/landlord-tenant-law/evictions

I can't begin to fathom the financial harm and carnage that will come when Pace's students finally have to sell their under water properties.

As long as the property was ready (habitable) and available for rent (advertised for rent) then the property was in service. 

If not, you can quit and walk away without any harm.

Here is another article that talks about how broader spending habits have impacted tourism industry - US vacationers are pulling vacationers | Fox Business

So essentially depending on your timing you will need (2) things in your favor to do that lower rates, and enough equity.In some cases having an interest only rate is not a good thing because it can and it does create comfort which can lead to bad habits of not paying the principal down.

There are bidding wars on most single family properties that are even close to habitable for anything under $300k in most areas.  

If there were a serious insurance claim, god forbid human injury or loss of life, and they do the same research discovering the non-conforming construction of habitable space, why would they bail you out?

I wanted to add that the best way to attend meetups is to make it a habit.

No doubt this thread has done much more harm than good for REI Reply.