If you don't have time to bird-dog your own deals, these guys can be a great asset.

The west side was a bit newer, higher pricing, but a more stable resident base.1.Don't chase high cap rates. 2.

I personally would avoid big banks like Chase, Wells, etc, or credit unions - they tend to have horrific underwriting process and could cost you your deal in a competitive situation.

If the sample(s) that tested over the threshold were from under a window (which is the norm), you probably need to address the window frame/sill and I'd recommend just cutting to the chase and painting them. 

A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush, that's always true.

I would encourage folks to watch the American greed episode on Remington financial.. little different they took due diligence fee's  this company is taking money to bird dog deals for them. but it was proven that in almost 20 years Remington funded less than 12 deals and they took in 5k to 10k per client. made millions. this I see is somewhat of a parallel offer to fund the deals make the bar so high that no one ESPECIALLY a newbie can get over the bar..  

I still have a day job so chasing down different quotes is difficult, but maybe I need to find someone to do that? 

Chase used to have good card offers for this. 

Birds of a feather flock together!

Remember, no system is perfect, so avoid the temptation of constantly chasing after the next shiny object.