One thing they emphasize is that  the people who had the balls to publicly complain where ostracized by other owners because they would adversely affect resale value if everyone knew what a disaster they were.So when an investor in NYC says, "move along, nothing to see here... everything is back to normal..."

It would be good for you to talk to them or other banks to understand whether is more important to have reserves (the $30K) or the lower debt to income ratio in your specific situation.Steve makes a great point that I can't emphasize enough. 

Even though I have a good lease based off the Texas laws, some of the points that you guys have made will be incorporated into all of my leases and emphasized to the tenant during our in brief.

Do what is average in that particular neighberhood.I also went to college, not that is mandatory, I got a business degree that emphasized real estate.  

I do want to emphasize again that these were Condos in San Diego I owned and I could not change the HOA fees they were charging plus special assessments etc..  

When you personalize it and make it known you are local, you de-emphasize the hard-sell.

Still have it, and one important lesson that may not be emphasized enough in this thread is a great property manager will make or break you, especially with an out-of-state rental. 

Prior similar case outcomes are great predictors of your possible success.You will need to show material (emphasize, bold and underline that word) impact to your health.  

Hi @Christine Swaidan,The harder you emphasize you are getting bids from multiple contractors and hardcore shopping to get the lowest price and quality, the less time any reasonably intelligent person should expect any reasonably intelligent contractor to put into any particular bid.A family member of mine is a high service, high quality GC, always available via cell.

I did go to college (not that it is mandatory) and I got a business degree that emphasized real estate.