My only regret is that I never considered real estate decades ago, but I look forward to this journey and the impact it will have on my family.  

Looking forward to connecting and contributing to the journey!

Now that same house you could have purchased for say $300K is now $325K+.So if you would have purchased that same home at a higher rate you are paying less versus a lower rate on the higher sale price.

.- The property is now worth over a million dollars now. 

.: Hello, I have a property I purchased with cash and renovated and am now looking to refinance.

Have you considered just keeping it in you names for now?

We started construction - the building frame is up and now I get a stop work order from city.

It’s awesome to see you starting your real estate journey so early, congrats. 

Now I know! 

Avoid PMI and then go to a local credit union and get a heloc after closing to gift the money back.Have this as a tool in your tool belt but pursue use of the 3.5% FHA, knowing that you will be at a competitive disadvantage if you are competing with non FHA buyers, then you can call in the favor from your gift person.Just know that if someone gifts you down payment money, your bank will require them to sign a letter stating that it is in fact a gift that doesn’t need to be paid back.