You get security deposit pro-rations and pro-rated rents.  6.

The notion that Serge and I agree is somewhat rational.

If we had kept it at 30 years, we could have had a payment that was $300 lower, giving us more buying power considering the DTI ration that banks look at.  

I've been tempted to reply to these types of ads before just to see what the deal was but in the back of my mind, I couldn't rationalize why in the world these guys had to resort to CL to find someone to fill those "positions."

Rationalization is the most expensive word you can use. 

Otherwise, sellers should ignore realtors claiming to know lending guidelines, market the home to the widest audience possible, and court/view FHA offers rationally. 

It's a good exercise to do anyway, but as @Charlie MacPherson points out you'll need to rationalize (and defend) your numbers.

From what I hear, when everything is going good and your tenant is a normal human being who is rational, self mgmt is the way to go.  

You're just rationalizing now.

My initial rational for taking the courses was that I could buy/sell my own personal properties.