Unfornutely when I first started out, being from Ca where the taxes don't fluctuate like other states do when prices go up and not being familiar with hurricanes etc, I invested in areas where the taxes and the insur skyrocketed thus leaving a negative cashflow after I had done my #s.

It fluctuates pending on how aggressive I want to be.

. - Depending on the county you are purchasing in, the VA Entitlement fluctuates on the amount you have available - I know, a bit confusing, but please read on... - You can find what your entitlement is by using this calculator: https://whatsmypayment.com/va-... - The entitlement is equal to 25% of what the county's "High Balance Loan Limit

@Jim Ying    Yes,  you can get lower rates with a 15 or 20 year - though how much lower does fluctuate.   

I'm currently going through the process of finding my first investment property and have noticed that my mood fluctuates from "I've done a lot of research and thousands of people have done this before me."

It's very seasonal and therefore our income fluctuates and we own the properties within a LP so it's not so easy to say what our "cashflow" is.

That is also common to the BRRR approach, except that all the initial investment can be recouped as soon as the rehab is done (if using a lender with no seasoning period, such as I use).When you talk about being at the mercy of comps, I take it you feel that comps may fluctuate more than MFH NOI.

However, your rate would likely be the market rate which could fluctuate wildly over the next few months.

I would recommend that for a few reasons: 1) gives you time to gather data on what your average monthly utility costs are just in case they fluctuate (like mine) 2) while avoiding over or under charging the roommates. 

The best way to do it is to give several lenders all the info and have them give you a couple of quotes on the same day as I did not even mention the fluctuation of the overall mortgage market of course can change from hour to hour much less day to day.