If your property management company is good and has built an internal maintenance team which has set rates and had strong relationship relationships with licensed contractor which should keep costs in control, you should never need to shop contractors on your own I wouldn't think.So in short, our policy is give us your preferred contractors upfront if you have them, but then we work all tickets to resolution including dispatch, and payment of invoices.This is of course for operational expenses.  

Since it’s a new build, I was able to negotiate some great perks, like a 5.875% interest rate, no closing costs, a fridge, blinds, and even a backyard firepit.Pros:Good school districtLow interest rateMinimal CapEx and repairs (because it’s a new build)Low insuranceHigh-quality tenants (due to the school district and being a new build)Cons:Lots of new builds in the area, which could drive down prices and increase vacanciesThe Numbers:Price: $290KInterest Rate: 5.875%Down Payment: 25%Monthly Mortgage + Insurance + Taxes + HOA: $1,480 (I got really low insurance since it’s a new build and Alabama’s property taxes are low)Property Management: 10%Rent: $1,800 (this is under market because I wanted to rent it quickly—most units in the area were sitting vacant for 100+ days.

2) Your credit score3) Purchase price and down payment amountI would recommend shopping rates with a few local mortgage brokers.

If you do, could I ask how that has been going and has the rents been comparable to the payment standards advertised by the respective housing authority?

Currently, we are learning more about investing while we save enough capital for a down payment for our first rental property.

I talked with Chris Sadler at Reva and to stay in theDST will mean no payments at all because the money will go to reserves for a unknown future.And to sell DST will only bring about a little more than 50 cents on the dollar. 

@Jennifer Fernéz I run sum numbers for you with our tool, see comments and pics below before refinancing and post refinancing .Financial Breakdown: Purchase Price: $200,000 Mortgage (LTV 80%): $160,000 Interest Rate: 6% (30-Year Amortization) Mortgage Monthly Payment: $959Upfront Costs: Down Payment (20%): $40,000 Closing Costs (3.5%): $7,000 Renovation Costs: $15,000 1 Month of Carrying Costs During Renovation: $1,548Total Upfront Required: $63,548Year One Rent: Monthly Rent Income: $2,000 1 Month Rent Losses during renovations (-$2,000): -$167/month distributed over 12 months Total Rent Income: $22,000 per year => $ 1,833 per monthMonthly Expenses: Mortgage Payment: $959 Property Tax (Assuming $3,000/year): $250 per month Property Insurance (Assumption): $100 per month Utilities (Hydro, Gas, Water): $275 per month Assuming 5% Vacancy: $92 Assuming 0 % Repairs & Maintenance first year because unit has been recently renovated Total Monthly Expenses: $1,676Monthly Net Cash Flow: $157Post-Renovation Refinancing Strategy after 12 months:So far, we’ve purchased the property, completed renovations, and rented it out.Next, you can approach the bank for a refinance to consolidate a portion of your initial investment into a mortgage.

I could put a down payment for a conventional (20-25%) 550k duplex, but I feel it could hurt my chances of buying as many duplexes in a 5 year period (for example) if I go conventional VS an FHA at 3.5%. 

Use a 2nd position heloc to absorb your paycheck, once your paycheck is entirely paying off your heloc, then it is safe to advance $3000 or $5000 extra against your heloc to make a principle payment against your 1st position heloc.

Stop reading if you want.2) I couldn’t guess what “There is a 6 months of grace period before interest payment begins” means.3) They call their $3555 charge a “Loan Fee,” stated a few lines up as 2%. 2% of $235,000 (loan amount) is $4470.4) Do you seriously believe the loan fee, “… IS 100% REFUNDABLE IF THERE IS ANY DEFAULT FROM THEPART OF THE LENDER OR IF THE BORROWER CHOOSES TO TERMINATE THE LOAN.”5) It’s okay to pay an appraiser directly.