My son currently lives in the townhouse b/c he is going to school and works in the area.Since he is young and starting out in life, I would like for him to only cover the basic costs (taxes, HOA, utilities) just enough for me to break even (I believe that will put him slightly little lower than market rent rates). 

My original plan was to find a 4 plex in california buy using fha loan, move out after the first year and generate cash flow and appreciation, but after looking at properties it became clear to me that’s not possible with todays market and interest rates.

The drop and Swap is about all we use here due to the confiscatory tax rates based on sale price.

In this case, you can use Rental Income from the units that you will not be living in and that income can count to help you qualify.FHA rates are going to be lower than conventional for you almost always, but FHA does have a 1.75% funding fee. 

2) If you do owner-occupied cashout refi for best rate, you technically have to live in the home for 12 months before renting it out. * Some responders here may suggest not worrying about that and renting it out anyways.

Their fees and interest rates were high, but they had the least restrictive approval terms from what I gathered.

Hey Jeff without knowing any details everything is what you are able negotiate. but you have to take in account the years interest rate and purchase price and what kind of cash flow.I will say get a mentor if you’re inexperienced these kind of deals can go left if you really have little knowledge when it comes to structure .

Last year, I purchased a SFH under market at 7.65% interest rate and did some rehab to up the value.

Come up with terms (Down Payment, Interest Rate, and Amortization Schedule) such as a 5% Down Payment, a 6% Interest Rate, and 30 Year Amortization Schedule.

What is the interest rate on the HELOC?