Use tools like MLS, Redfin, BiggerPockets calculators, and Zillow for cost and income estimates, and enhance research through networking.

I estimate we should be able to cash flow ~$400 per month after 10% for Cap Ex, vacancies etc set aside. 

The ARV is estimated to be 170-180K> A suggestion I have would be to get insurance quotes while analyzing your numbersThank you @Paige for the advice and I'll keep that in mind!

With loan extension you might have to come up with extra payment to get DSCR in range lender will approve.That is why to go through this exercise NOW and if you know tenant wants 300k TI to extend and bank wants 300k to pay down estimated balance when new loan placed you need 600k to come up with.

However, after running the numbers accounting for insurance, PMI, taxes, vacancy, capX, property manager, etc. the property is estimated -1.85% cash on cash return (-$600/mo) once I fully rent the property.

I ran some quick numbers and would estimate (assuming you have good credit) you could borrow around $415k-$420k, which includes funding 100% of the rehab costs.Have you calculated your expected profit based on selling after rehab and if you decide to keep long term? 

In my opinion, you can make as much money buying cheap houses as you can buying expensive homes.Affordability is an issue for a lot of Americans so I will argue cheaper cities performed better over the past 10 years than more expensive markets / houses.San Francisco, CA, Seattle, WA and New York, NY are considered expensive markets.If I look at Zillow's price estimate for homes comparing 2016 and 2024San Francisco - Average Price of home was $1,145,000 and now its 1,262,000(Increase of 10%)Seattle - Average Price of home was $561,000 and now its $848,000(51%)New York - Average price was $561,000 and now its $766,000(37%)Memphis, TN, Indianapolis, IN and Clevlenad, OH are considered cheaper markets.Zillow is showing more appreciation in these markets over the same time periodMemphis - Average price was $73,000 and now its $149,000(104%)Indianapolis - Average price was $107,000 and now its $225,000(110%)Cleveland - Average price was $54,000 and now its $109,000(101%)Population increases and job growth are two indicators that result in appreciation.Two of the cheaper markets listed above(Memphis and Cleveland) are not increasing in population.

Just because Zillow estimates a lower value, doesn't mean people will offer lower than the list price.Also, be careful about the laws with the association and renters.

This of course depends on your starting bank roll - but if its like mine (under 100k) - Im trying to put as little as possible into it on top of initial equity and fees.this will likely chew a big hole in your ROI  (now if you are looking to improve value with a cash out refi or a great prospect comes along that needs combo new plumbing, roof, windows, foundation repair, etc - well just make sure you know what youre getting into and/or have a good contractor and finger on the pulse of the market when estimating the ARV YOURSELF - couple missed items and you risk having a bad first investment and not doing it again).    7) dont be scared be ambitious ( i should heed my own advice sometimes) 8) define numbers goals within your target areas.  

Here are some common pitfalls I see for new investors from the private lending perspective:• Insufficient Funds: most lenders are going to be able to lend a first-time investor somewhere around 75-80% of the purchase price of an existing property + 100% of your estimated rehab budget (or an 80/100 loan, for short).