Chicago is a lower appreciation market but with the trends we've been seeing with increased rates of hurricanes on the east coast and fires in the west, I do think long-term we will see some migration to the Midwest.

I’ve had concerns about the crime rates so I’m trying to only buy in the better sides of town.

There will be no assessment for increase in taxes or insurance so remains at $1935.

There may some merits to investing upstate/western NY, but I would suggest doing some serious homework into eviction timelines, annual rent % increases, etc. 

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.

Should I be concerned the bank may have issues with this? 

Similarly, quality dividend-paying companies often retain some earnings to reinvest in their business, increasing the company's (and your) value over time.

The shorter the prepayment term has an impact on increasing the rate.4.

@Scott VaethIf you live in part of the home and rent out rooms, you might be able to keep the lower 4% owner-occupied rate.Instead of a long-term rental that barely covers half the mortgage, could you do a rent-by-the-room model or target traveling professionals to increase cash flow?

.🔹 Example in Action:Rental income: $9,000PITI: $9,500 → DSCR <1 (not qualifying)Using $63,000 in assets → Adds $1,045 in incomeNew DSCR >1 → Higher LTV (80% instead of 75%)🔹 Why This Matters:✅ Helps investors qualify for better financing✅ Increases borrowing power and flexibility✅ Allows you to scale your portfolio fasterUnderstanding financing tools like this can be a game-changer for investors looking to maximize opportunities.