Quote from @Stacy Raskin: When doing a cash out refinance, it's important to consider seasoning periods of the waiting period you have to have between when the old transaction closed on the hard money loan to the new cash out transaction closing.

I lived in the Bay Area, went to school in Santa Barbara, and decided to live and invest in Reno, NV. 

Would you do it: $175k off-market, 3/2, needs less than $15k to be in excellent shape (all mechanicals are less than 5 years old, roof is 8 years old)

Researching local job markets, schools, and even infrastructure projects can provide insight into potential appreciation and cash flow.You might want to explore markets in the Midwest or South, which often have lower entry points and better cash flow potential compared to California.

I want to say an indisputable "No", like the others, but hopefully this isn't a case of the old landlord being upset about something else and trying to bad-mouth the woman, but I'm not sure how you could verify that.

build it instead of buying it. especially in the 5-50 range you are going to get garbage that's 80-120 years old in c neighborhoods. i can find land in almost any zip code and make the numbers work in columbus. or partner on a project locally. just my 2 cents but build to rent is much stronger right now in my opinion in columbus than buying existing assets 

Wishing I had bought a duplex or really any piece of property straight out of high school for a jump start but here I stand. 

Might go from $200 a month to $700 a month for a standard old rental.

I am thirty-nine years old, married going on six years, and my wife and I have a 14-month-old.

If the area is known for a good school district you won't want 1 bed places.