IMO, you are rationalizing the purchase of a car outside of your price range by saying it might help your business.

. :) I've observed that BP a place for people, despite the differences, to help each other out and provide rational answers.

It is also refreshing to see rational commentary in the forums instead of the steady drumbeat of negativity that typically surrounds deals presented on the forums.

@Dan Verdick While your HELOC is approved it has not been figured into your new debt to income ration on the purchase of the investment until you actually pull it out to use it.

That's not investing...that's speculating, and you'd be rationalizing the deal to be a good one.Also, just because you have the money (current job) to cover the negative, doesn't mean it's OK. 

Hopefully they're more rational than the major banks.

Your assuming they are being rational.

If you were to add inflation also to the equation, then after 30 years the very rationality of waiting that long then becomes a serious question.If 8.5% seems high for a conventional mortgage, mortgage rates in 1984 were in the 13% range (18% in 1981 and still in double digits by 1986).

By extension, the escrow accounts in some places to deal with any POS items are also wiped out.On top of that, using the same rational, annual / new tenant rental inspections could also be deemed a violation of ownership rights.The counter argument that could be made is 'public safety' and so a balancing of conflicting rights.Any lawyers care to express a thought?

What time of year is also a factor as one of your costs is pro-rations of taxes and water bills.