I've included an example below to help illustrate this.So different lenders have different rates (which do vary even for DSCR loans) but these are factors they all consider.See example below:DSCR < 1Principal + Interest = $1,700Taxes = $350, Insurance = $100, Association Dues = $50Total PITIA = $2200Rent = $2000DSCR = Rent/PITIA = 2000/2200 = 0.91Since the DSCR is 0.91, we know the expenses are greater than the income of the property.DSCR >1Principal + Interest = $1,500Taxes = $250, Insurance = $100, Association Dues = $25Total PITIA = $1875 Rent = $2300DSCR = Rent/PITIA = 2300/1875 = 1.23If a purchase, you also generally need reserves / savings to show you have 3-6 month payments of PITIA (principal / interest (mortgage payment), property taxes and insurance and HOA (if applicable).

Naturally, every answer breeds more questions, but she has been patient and responsive.

if someone else comes along and wants to put 50% down on a great property, and they have sufficient cash and reserves, great!

Make sure you've got cash reserves for closing costs (around 2-5% of the purchase price, repairs and maintenance (aim for 1-2% of property value annually), vacancy periods (budget for 3-5 months of expenses), property management (if you're not self-managing), emergency funds for unexpected repairs.When choosing markets, look for those with stable job markets, growing population, and strong rental demand.

I figure the upside to the rental scenario is, of course, investing in multiple properties, while a downside would be having to most likely get a conventional loan on the second house with 20+% down and proof of sufficient enough financial reserves to handle two mortgages. 

The contract says - RESIDENT shall be responsible for disposing of items of such size and nature as are not normally acceptable by the garbage hauler.2.

I think comparing to the two-- syndications vs index funds-- is too difficult because of the nature of the specific RE under the syndication versus the broad economy(global and domestic) the index funds capture.

She was studying to get her CA Broker’s License which would fully legitimize us, and allow us to manage funds on behalf of the homeowner’s and have ownership of the listings and reservations.

We back into the "strike price", meaning the maximum price we're willing to pay for a property, by starting with a conservative ARV and then backing off our required profit, the rehab cost, the time value of money (carrying costs and interest), and a contingency reserve for unexpected expenses.

I've included an example below to help illustrate this.So different lenders have different rates (which do vary even for DSCR loans) but these are factors they all consider.See example below:DSCR < 1Principal + Interest = $1,700Taxes = $350, Insurance = $100, Association Dues = $50Total PITIA = $2200Rent = $2000DSCR = Rent/PITIA = 2000/2200 = 0.91Since the DSCR is 0.91, we know the expenses are greater than the income of the property.DSCR >1Principal + Interest = $1,500Taxes = $250, Insurance = $100, Association Dues = $25Total PITIA = $1875 Rent = $2300DSCR = Rent/PITIA = 2300/1875 = 1.23If a purchase, you also generally need reserves / savings to show you have 3-6 month payments of PITIA (principal / interest (mortgage payment), property taxes and insurance and HOA (if applicable).