He's getting numbers like $80K for a 2Bed 2Bath single family homes, additional $20 for rehab, so total under $100K and rent estimate is around $1000.

The HVAC and water heater estimated to be 6 to 8 years old by the inspector.

Many investors hesitate to start their next fix-and-flip project due to barriers like limited funding, uncertainty in market conditions, lack of experience in estimating renovation costs, or fear of unexpected delays and expenses.

Is the 5 property ceiling (estimate, of course) because of debt to income ratio?

This is all public data, except for the rentometer estimated rents (which you should expect to mark up for being fully-furnished). 

maybe only be extra $40,000 to build open loft... and I would guess I could possibly charge $2000/mo rent, not sure>>***I was kinda crunching numbers...if I'm estimating it correctly it will take me over 4.5 to 6.5 years in excess rent to make up the cost of building the private loft.....does that seem worth the extra loft cost?

I'm originally from Western PA as well (Slippery Rock) and now reside in Atlanta.Here is how I am looking at it along with the assumptions I am making:1) I think the growth prospects are better in the Atlanta market than Pittsburgh from a pure demographics standpoint.2) I estimate your return on equity at 7.2% currently3) Over the long haul appreciation is going to take you further when it comes to net worth than cashflow will4) Doubling of the roofs is doubling the expensesThings to consider:1) What is the year built of your Atlanta property vs. what you could replace it with in PGH?

Much more negative when including realistic expense estimates (maintenance/cap ex, vacancy, PM, misc).  

All I can say is I’ve seen it time and time again, accuracy in your estimates, detail in your work, and anticipating future costs/market changes and building contingencies in your budgets may cost you some deals but will save your investments. 

If you have more passive losses than your gain is estimated to be, you would have net taxable loss to recognize.If you want to sell and not pay tax, I would definitely look into 1031 exchange.