Quote from @Matthew Beninate: Quote from @Sarita Scherpereel: Quote from @Seo Hui Han: You may want to consider local banks / credit unions just because many of them will require or give you more favorable terms for things like HELOC's and other line of credit products if you have a deposit account with them. 

I will probably do lots of rehab myself because of my background and then scale up as I am more able to afford qualified contractors.

Not the most scalable method, but I like the benefits it affords me while I am still a smaller operation.Completing 500 builds in just over 10 years is impressive for someone who just sorta fell into it.

Quote from @Lorraine Hadden: I have client who are try to wait for interest rates to come down rather than buying what they can afford for the best rate and hold.

You could live in one unit and rent out the others to offset your mortgage, staying within your $4,500/month affordability limit.

They're affordable enough to allow good cash flow, while also attracting decent tenant quality.

If they cannot afford it then talk to the bank about a short sale or let it go to foreclosure.

People who live in a slum do so because that is what they can afford.

These markets offer a great mix of affordability, strong rental demand, and steady appreciation.

Assuming you have 5 units, each worth 300K, and you could afford the loss of one, but not all.