Identify the biggest losses and cut those with as minimal a loss as you can.

So many LOs were preaching mortgage rate cuts, this time around, and now I am seeing rates still the same, if not even slightly higher than what they were a few months ago. 

@Richard Schubert If the house next door is a solid enough deal you could always raise the money from people in your network to tie it up.

So as investing partners it makes sense because we will both have extra cash at the same time, we partner up to cut the risk in half + we both specialize in a couple things the other does not in terms of being a rental property owner (e.g. running the books + marketing vs actually fixing things).  

Upper levels with slanted roof lines cut into living space which is very outdated and much of it becomes deadspace. 

So I'd be doing my best to get the highest possible rent/revenue but without needing or counting on that.What you refer as cut-throat competition exists in every market where you have demand.

Once the money is tied up in the equity of the property its "LAZY money".

Anyway you cut it they will all want a washer/dryer. 

If you buy in such a city, you are almost guaranteed to have limited appreciation and rent growth.If a city has significant and sustained population growth, then the current housing supply will be insufficient and prices will rise until the demand (the number of people willing and able to buy) roughly equals supply.Rental rates are closely tied to property prices.

Some lines they will say have been "cut" but they put in a disclaimer on all sales that they don't know if a line might be cut.