I own a split duplex in Nashville TN that has two gas water heaters in the attic above each apartment bathroom. It was fine for 7 years, but one day the temperature dipped down so low, a burst pipe destroyed the unit....

While the market is very hot in our area and houses are moving quickly, I am puzzled why comparable houses (number of bedrooms, bathrooms,  total sq. ft) that sold within the last 2-3 weeks were not included in the report, while those that sold almost a year ago are included. 

So yes I will probably use a general contractor.However, your question does let me know that I have one more piece to that puzzle I have to plan for, so thank you very much!

Most of them also got puzzled when I mention WY Holding LLC that will owned local LLC in MA.

We don't really use credit scores except as just one piece of the puzzle.

Now, if you don't need the rental income, then it doesn't matter.I would also say here that if you are moving more than 100 miles away that you are allowed to have a 2nd FHA loan anyway so refinancing the vacating property isn't even necessary.The really important piece of the puzzle is that we need you to be prequalified in order to know if you need the rental income or not. 

A good lender will advise you on how to organize those other pieces of the puzzle so you can be in the best position to buy real estate.Keep in mind that unless you get a rehab loan, any repairs you make will be out of pocket and that's money that you could use to invest in other properties.

@James Gleeson broker relationships are good and one piece of the puzzle but there are hundreds of brokers who already have their primary buyers for this kind of product of which there are many (buyers).

i'm not generally so shy, but feeling so inexperienced with not much to offer i kind of clamed up. anyhow...i have talked to two different real estate agents back in NC on the phone with hopes of meeting them in person in a few weeks to get the ball rolling... and while i'm nervous and apprehensive to make a purchase.. i feel like i'm not ready, i guess i wont know until i try. i still feel kind of lost on what i should be doing right now... theres so many pieces of the puzzle that its easier to just read another book than figure out how to estimate rehab cost, or how to analyze a property etc.... pumped to be apart of this community and hopefully meet some people!  

  : ) At the end of the day, the most important piece of the puzzle is the team/partner, regardless of the size of the project, so do your due diligence on those people.