If the interest on the credit card is NOT zero%, you better off paying it off.Actually, it's beneficial to have few credit cards - let's say 5 of them with $12K limit will give you $60K.

I originally grew up in the DC/Maryland/Virginia area, but for the past two years, I have been working as a software developer in lower Manhattan.I have basically zero background in real estate, but I hope to learn a lot from this community -- enough for my wife and me to invest in one or more rental properties within the next two-to-three years that will give us a nicer return beyond our retirement mutual funds. 

Once you have at least 2 years solid income history in the same field, excellent credit, enough savings for a down payment and some more savings for cash reserves (and some more savings for cash reserves), start investing in real estate (or more passive and less risky investments like dividend stock mutual funds).  

Hopefully they begin to understand that HOA living requires a mutual respect and understanding of the other unit owners.

Your inspection period should be five business days and starts the day after mutual acceptance, so if you timed it right, you could gain extra days there (check the contract).

Not all lenders are the same and some don't offer certain loan products that could be beneficial. 

As long as your numbers work out to and show it's still a positive project, it can still be beneficial. 

@Greg Scott, You're not taking any beneficial interest in the property? 

Any advise on what to look for that might not be beneficial to the owner?

Any advise on what to look for that might not be beneficial to the owner?