Ideally I'm looking to get into flipping so I can build capital first but like I said the deals are few and far between in our area.  

As far as credit, you would want a score above 680 ideally to get the highest loan to value on a cash out refinance, but I would aim higher at 720+ as that comes with a significant rate drop.

In playing with the numbers a bit, I'm seeing a trend of atleast 2% rent to price and (ideally) < 7% mortgage rate needed to achieve a decent cash on cash rate.

Hello,My wife and I recently found a property that fits all of the things we are looking for, perfect location, price, rooms, etc. except for one problem: The previous owner was a smoker :( Does anyone have experience buying/renting out/living in a home previously owned by smokers?

To help support that avatar, try and have on-site parking and ideally a place where a large work truck can be parked without issue (think fully decked out F-350). 

The city offers more affordability compared to the DMV area, with many renovated homes selling below 350k giving you a better chance at finding a property that fits your budget while avoiding sky-high prices.

I have the details in place, but need to make sure I fit within regulatory and accounting laws.

It’s all about finding the right fit for you and your long-term goals.

This year, the State Legislature gave all counties the authority to change STR's laws however they see fit.

I would be open to a 3-4 unit, but my ideal sized property would be 10-20 units."