I have heard good things about Ohio, Indiana, etc.5 - Due to high interest rates flipping has become highly risky and most businesses have dried up.6 - Co-living and Assisted living seems to be popular right now.So - really depends on your market, your strategy, and your timeline.

Fannie/Freddie (Conventional) loans aren't just about rate and transfer taxes. 

No - absolute max for DSCR is 85% LTV and that is extremely rare and typically not workable in this rate environment anyways.Standard/common max is 80% (acquisition and rate-term refinances) and 75% Cash-Out Refis

For the most part, due to interest rates, breaking the 1% cap rate still won't provide positive return after expenses.

If the answer is yes, then it's a no brainer to make minimum payments on your 2.8% interest rate mortgage, and use the funds that you would have paid extra to pay it down faster, to either invest in more real estate, the market, or anywhere else where you can get a ROI > 2.8%.If the answer is no, then feel free to aggressively pay it down as fast as possible, to become debt-free faster, and just have a large amount of money in savings or to splurge with.The bottom line is that your 2.8% mortgage is GOOD debt.

"Buy the property, but date the rate!".

I would consider asking a slightly higher interest rate than market, because you are offering financing for a buyer that may not qualify for a traditional loan.

This creates two loan payments ($100,000 of equity and $300,000 on the new mortgage).Key NumbersHome Equity Loan Interest Rate: 6%Mortgage Interest Rate: 7%Rental Income: $3,000 per monthExpenses (management, taxes, insurance, maintenance): $800 per monthIncome and ExpensesMonthly Rental Income: $3,000Monthly Expenses: $800Monthly Mortgage Payment: $2,000ExplanationThe investor earns $3,000 in rent each month.They pay $2,000 on the investment property mortgage and $800 on other expenses.This leaves $200 profit each month or $2,400 per year.However, you have to pay $6,000 interest on the equity borrowed.This leaves you with an annual loss of $3,600.While the rental property generates positive monthly income, the interest cost of borrowing the initial $100,000 results in an overall loss.

@Maynhia Stott  Baltimore has considered dropping to 12%.

Unfortunately, given current and foreseeable prices and interest rates, I will not be in the position to buy anything else anywhere I’d want to go.