Great value here 

Plenty of opportunity here. 

Let's of NYC investors look at other cities in NY, Rochester, Buffalo, etc... they can drive to them to see them, and they know the state well enough to feel comfortable.Most of the rust belt cities in NY offer cash flow as well. 

How much of a credit do they offer at closing to cover the servicing fee?

Yes never get a 2.99% instead of a 3% flat or nowadays a 6.99% instead of a 7% flat.If you look at the savings in interest over 30 years for .01% it is very small.

I just looked at a utility bill with a total charge of $184.12 but $116.50 is from base fees!

I chose to invest most of those gains into a trucking company due to the lack of patience at the time and my 10 year experience being a tractor trailer w-2 driver.

Look at what high interest credit cards you can get rid of, pay down, or move to zero interest promotion cards for say 15 months etc.

Lenders typically require a resume for the GC involved in the borrower's project to assess their qualifications.When it comes to a GC getting funding for their own projects, while some lenders will take your experience as a GC or builder into consideration, most primarily look at your track record as a borrower on title when determining approval and pricing.That said, if a lender deems your experience sufficient, they may allow you to act as the primary GC on your own project instead of requiring you to hire a more experienced GC. 

This then would allow you to look at a property 1500sf 3/2 with the same rehab as a property in the same condition that you got a bid for 1-4 weeks ago..