I say this because every investment is an opportunity cost, and if you're going to take money out of stocks (whether in a brokerage account or 401k) that could be earning 8-10%, you should have confidence that your acquisitions are going to perform better to account for the additional risk. 

At the buy down shops, you can get into the 6s but it will cost you a few points.

In the future, I’ll factor in contractor costs more.

You’ll put 5% down but get 2% back on sale (which might pay for your closing costs) and then do a rent by the room to cover your expenses and downpayment for next year) Not sure which university you are at but both Henrietta and South Wedge are solid places to start (serving RIT and UR respectively) Good luck, I personally think Rochester is a great area to start due to constrained supply with a growing population

The larger the purchase price the greater the spread you need between purchase price plus holding costs plus rehab cost and ARV.  40k projected profit on a 600k project is too skinny for me. 

I can promise you that my first deal was TERRIBLE, but I lived at a reduced monthly cost to living than renting/buying a single family and that is what mattered. 

I believe this is what they call a pier and beam foundation which I have no experience with so I have no idea what it would cost to fix. 

Quote from @Hanna Brown: @Jay Hinrichs If the bidder at the auction pays cash for keys to get the homeowner out, does the person redeeming from the owner position (exercising rights of redemption w/in 180 days) have to reimburse them for those costs they paid to get the homeowner out? 

I prefer markets that experience mild winters to eliminate the added costs brutal winters can bring. 

Fixed Mortgage does come with closing costs and points upfront which the HELOC does not, except a $95 annual fee.