There aren't too many areas other than HCOLs that support current rates in terms of debt service, so I would run the numbers with a generous ~15% cushion. 

If you aren't, there are other options that don't require those.

and many fixer uppers aren't foreclosures.

Zillow and other tools just aren't going to get you very far.hope this helps

For those still wondering why mortgage interest hasn’t moved down alongside the Fed’s recent rate cuts, check out this WSJ article: If the Fed Is Cutting Rates, Why Aren’t Mortgage Rates Falling?

You want to look for uneven multifamily houses to house hack so you aren't wasting bedrooms in your unit and so you don't have to room hack.

Fortunately, our parcel only has 1 neighbor, so less work from a quantity perspective on avoid dissent.

If you aren't going to assume the loan as discussed in #2, then you could do a "Subject To" deal where you just take over payments BUT that is really only good for the seller if they are facing foreclosure.

The numbers are hard to make sense if you aren't familiar with them.

If they aren't taller than two floors, you might not be able to go up.