Your Contractors Liability and Workers Comp are likely to be rated based on payroll. 

Then watch to see how long theirs take to rent compared to yours.

Remember to consider the equity your tenant is building for you when you compare rent vs sale.

If you aren't bringing the subject property up to the standard of another comparable sale there is no value increase, unless it's a miracle deal.

This is an investment, not a get rich quick scheme… Compared to how much you can generate in the long run, the upfront investment to join is more than fair, if not a bit generous, in my opinion.

So, depending on your acquisition price, maybe you can put in some extras but I would highly encourage you to base your decisions on what your comparable properties show.Hope all of that makes sense.

Condos can be a good option for new investors, but updating kitchens and bathrooms might not add as much value compared to single-family homes, especially with potential restrictions from condo associations.

Being a lender definitely give an edge as one knows all the nuances, the ins and outs of fundings compared to someone like Melinda Francis (another post) that her biggest fear that stops her is not knowing anything about funding. 

Depends on loan type and will vary lender to lender too (especially when comparing retail and broker), not all have the same margins.

Ideally, I could choose a few cities to compare.