@Mark Sullivan I'm based out of Rhode Island so not sure if my providers lend where you are located.Biggest thing here, I would look for a portfolio lender.

What you spent on the land/lots can go towards your down payment and, if you've owned the land for more than 6 months, you can use the value of the property toward the cash injection requirement.

I've heard that Butchertown, Highlands, and Old Louisville are hotter areas and am guessing that proximity to Churchill Downs and downtown are usually a plus (especially for STRs).I'm casting a wide net here in just doing some preliminary research to get a feel for different areas of town, but would love to get connected with some others who have had some experience doing some of these things and have a good lay of the land and are connected with reputable contractors. 

I’m based in Tampa and run Graystone Investment Group, focusing heavily on helping (out of state) investors find and manage properties here in Florida.Totally agree on the importance of understanding those short-term rental rules in Florida—each area can feel like its own little country with all the different regulations!

Based on my research, several lenders stand out, but I’d appreciate firsthand experiences.Key Considerations:Loan Terms: Fixed rates up to 35 years, interest-only periods (e.g., 10-year interest-only options), and non-recourse structures.Competitive Rates: Recent transactions show rates ranging from 2.69% to 4.65% depending on LTV (55%–80%) and property type.Lender Specialization: Some lenders excel in specific areas:Greystone and Walker & Dunlop lead in Fannie/Freddie volume and large-scale refinancing.Arbor Realty Trust is praised for smaller-balance loans and flexibility.CREFCOA offers streamlined refinancing with 45–60 day closings and cash-out up to 80% LTV.HUD 223(f) loans provide 35-year fixed terms, ideal for stabilized properties.Questions for the Community:Have you worked with lenders like Greystone, Arbor, or Freddie Mac?

See the map below for where these zip codes are located.Note: The following charts only include properties in the above zip codes that generally match our property profile: single-family homes featuring 3-4 bedrooms, 2-3 bathrooms, 2-3 car garages, 1,100 to 2,400 square feet of living space, 1 or 2 stories, and lot sizes ranging from 3,000 to 6,000 square feet, built on or after 1985.Appreciation10-Year $/SF by Zip Code 2015-01-01 to 2024-12-31From the above charts, these zip codes appear to appreciate the fastest among our target areas (based on annualized growth rate)89032 (North Las Vegas), 11.0%89015 (Henderson), 10.4%89143 (Centennial Hills), 9.9%89031 (North Las Vegas), 9.8%89138 (Summerlin), 9.4%89141 (Blue Diamond, Southern Highlands), 9.4%89128 (Summerlin), 9.3%89123 (Silverado Ranch), 9.1%89129 (Northwest), 9.1%5-Year Pre-COVID $/SF by Zip Code 2015-01-01 to 2020-03-01The COVID market frenzy and the subsequent dramatic rate hikes significantly distorted price and rent trends.

Northern New Jersey has very little land, therefore the price to buy land is too high unless you somehow get it at a great price.

So, we bought the property 2 years ago, based on the valuation of the property considering income from 6 units.The sale deeds (from 2018- 3 sales) I could get from the City and the property tax statements (2023,2024) show that the property is zoned as 411 (apartments).

For example, an algorithm can't compare a property that charges a flat fee for utilities vs one that charges based on use. 

Shared housing provides affordable, flexible rental options for young professionals, remote workers, and students.As shown above, co-living properties have more demand than traditional two-bedroom units and appeal to a wider tenant base.2.