The new standards are yet to shake out I think and it probably does cause some indigestion for investors and agents both. 

My concern is doing the cash out refi on my other rental and causing a new and much higher payment on it that I can't just pay off like a loan.

STR feels more like a strategy to break even or eek out a meager return on a great asset than a strategy to cashflow.

HI, I own a part share of a nice recently renovated house in North London, with other members of my family owning the rest, left to me in my fathers estate, with probate granted in 1999, as a tenant in common.

I like that, unlike with say trading for a hedge fund, I can create opportunities for others rather than solely line the pockets of someone richer (that being said I still intend to make money).

Welcome to the world of real estate investing, and congratulations on taking the first steps toward learning about this exciting space!

If a bank has to pay out 5% to get deposits then they usually want 7% to lend back out or it's not worth their time.  

I didn't pay cash.

Austin is more of an appreciation play than cash flow. 

I spend majority of my time in central and North Jersey.