My goal of refinancing was simply lowering our monthly spending to reallocate towards future investments.

As for by-the-room rentals, many lenders won't allow that and if they do, they qualify you off of the long term market rents (which, as I'm sure you can imagine, would be considerably lower than the actual per-room rents).

that we’ve learned in our 24 years, managing almost 700 doors across the Metro Detroit area, including almost 100 S8 leases:Class A Properties:Cashflow vs Appreciation: Typically, 3-5 years for positive cashflow, but you get highest relative rent & value appreciation.Vacancy Est: Historically 10%, 5% the more recent norm.Tenant Pool: Majority will have FICO scores of 680+ (roughly 5% probability of default), zero evictions in last 7 years.Class B Properties:Cashflow vs Appreciation: Typically, decent amount of relative rent & value appreciation.Vacancy Est: Historically 10%, 5% should be applied only if proper research done to support.Tenant Pool: Majority will have FICO scores of 620-680 (around 10% probability of default), some blemishes, but should have no evictions in last 5 yearsClass C Properties:Cashflow vs Appreciation: Typically, high cashflow and at the lower end of relative rent & value appreciation.

I had one investment in a syndication that would have been a total loss however the sponsor made good and repaid principal . so 3 year no return.. which is just fine by me personally I am not one who goes crazy if the return is lower or does not happen to me its principal i care about.. 

Boot includes any cash retained or the difference if the replacement property is of lower value than the relinquished property.

Going direct saves you and the seller money, giving you a lower cost to entry which helps all your numbers, but you have to put in the extra work to find that deal.

I would tell people today that if you buy a primary residence expect to stay in that home for atleast five years, especially with a FHA loan which has lower down payment as the current forecasts for home appreciation or very low which with closing costs on the buy and sell, it will take several years to have equity in the property and enough to be able to sell, so that is something also to consider.

You'll get a feel for the age of the neighborhoods, the vitality of the commercial buildings, the ease of location, the closeness to jobs.The markets you're describing are more linear, and usually have lower capital appreciation.

HelloOver saturated STR in Ohio markets have caused many STR to drastically lower costs to as low as  $100 for entire bedroom home.My are higher and I'm not competitive with the lower cost Abnbs.I also feel hotel industry are mass building new hotels to compete with str. 

Thus, your profit margin is lower (than the all-cash offer), but your ROI is higher.Savvy or more experienced investors may have access to Private Money.