As far as financing goes, I have now a steady income (although a small history), a FICO score over 760 (but never had a loan), and my dad who could co-sign if needed.

As a loan officer, I recommend first ensuring you have a thorough assessment from a contractor who specializes in fire damage.

keep going after it. run lots of numbers and do a lot of underwriting. feel free to reach out at any time if you need help in your market. these properties that are 3 units are rented and then a cash out refinance that not only makes money but returns full capital to the investor on DSCR loans similar to the interest rate you mentioned above. 

I have 2 other monthly loan payments I would like to pay off or lump in with my refinance as I believe with the forced appreciation and normal appreciation I will be able to pay off most my HELOC (5.99%) and all of my Credit Card that is currently at a 0% APR until end of May.

My advice would be go for the most they will loan you as long as you're in an appreciating market and you can find a value-add.

Or should I invest regardless of student loans if my hope is to use FHA loan for smaller downpayment and then eventually rent the house out in a few years once I move?

Hi Scott, you don't need to be a first time homebuyer to use an FHA loan and you don't need to be low credit (as many would suppose), but the product probably appeals most to low-credit first time buyers.

Hi Stacie, Have you looked inot DSCR loans?

The only thing it’s difficult for is if you have multiple loans on the property.

I have two properties (exact same property just across the street from each other) one is a seller finance that is coming to the end of its contract for balloon payment and the other is a fix and hold Interest only loan that is also coming to the end of its contract for balloon payment.