This decision increased our budget from $15K to $45K, but it turned out to be a wise investment.

And during inflationary times, our rental rates increase.

After a few months you figure out that your team has not really engaged your property on a regular basis.

The shorter the prepayment term has an impact on increasing the rate.4.

The time back will free up more time to increase your active income, or acquisition of more rentals to get you more cashflow (passively or actively).

This decision increased our budget from $15K to $45K, but it turned out to be a wise investment.

(Previous rent was $1,300 but we're about to put in a brand new kitchen from the studs, new flooring throughout the house, new furance, adding A/C, etc).So do we just pay for it all upfront and mostly drain all of our savings, or do I let the rent pay for it and utilize our other savings to get a second property this spring/summer to increase our cashflow? 

If your property's value has increased since you bought it... given the market trends in Albany, that's quite possible... you could tap into that equity sooner than you might think.

If you can get your Vantage Score up 50 points, you will see positive results on the mortgage scores as well, it just may be 30 or 40 points or could be 60 to 80 point increase vs Vantage increase of 50 points. 

Looking for a house we could house hack, had an incredibly low interest rate on mortgage and house has increased in value about 42%, an estimated 180k in equity.