Subsequently, you're shooting yourself in the foot by proclaiming to be (at least that's what most people would think if they read 'realty')

The additional money was from taking out a few personal loans ($20k, 32k, and 15k), taking 2, 0% cash advance offers on credit cards -and then getting a HELOC on the first property that we paid cash for to use for down payments on subsequent homes. 

If it is cheaper to hold a unit vacant until the recovery, than lower rents and subsequently affect rent prices of all units, they will do that.

If you fail the exam, it will cost you another $60 every subsequent time you take it as well.  

(My reply was to an earlier post I didn't see a subsequent on wthat WAS very good.)No.

I understand that this can vary a lot depending on the age of the house, type of neighborhood (and subsequently the quality of tenant), etc. 

The surge in demand for building supplies and the subsequent price increases along with the associated dearth of availability for the skilled trades could lead to further deferral of needed maintenance.... and more.There are just too many variables to consider.

We went and looked at his completed product before it hit the market and decided that we would be interested partnering up with him on a subsequent flip.The three of us found a single family home that was bank owned in Clawson, Michigan and decided to all three purchase the property together.  

@Andrew Ware What @Brian Cardwell said is true but in addition, the reason for doing it this way in large chunks rather than just making an extra $700 or whatever payment each month is that it pushes you much farther ahead in your payment schedule so that each subsequent normal monthly payment is paying more towards the principal and less in interest. if you just make an extra payment here and there, it helps you pay it off sooner, but doesn't save you very much  in interest.I found the company that teaches this, there is a short video on their home page, the velocity banking section starts at about 19 minutes in. it may be worth watching to understand it a bit more.

I subsequently sent agent my pre-qualify letter and proof of funds, and help negotiate price with intention of getting my name off contract and him solely.