Plus, you get a little extra cash out of it after the REFI that you can use to expand the portfolio in a slower fashion or enjoy with your family for now.

I know the DTI for those are around 45% but every lender figures that out in a slightly different fashion.

Even though their lists can work well for certain types of direct mail efforts (depending on what types of properties and owners you're targeting), they're not always the best fit for everything, and some counties (usually the more rural, sparsely populated ones) have issues like the ones you're seeing.If current tax delinquent data is part of what you're relying on, I'd say your better option would be to go directly to the county and get it (because the county is always going to have the most current and accurate information on hand).If you're looking for some other services that provide lists in a similar fashion (though, most of them don't even give the option of tax delinquent data), you can always check out this review I did on 5 of the more well-known services to choose from.

I use MidAtlantic, and have been very happy with their ability to fund deals in a timely fashion.  

So that's why I still use good old fashioned yard signs when I have a vacancy in some of my rentals.)Nevertheless, I think in general it's often a good idea to buy in the best school district you can afford because it will open your property up to a wider variety of renters. 

I was looking to see if any newbie investors have gotten started in a similar fashion and what the outcome was.  

This to me is another example of our we-want-it-now culture and entrepreneurs being unwilling to put forth the effort to grow a business steadily the old fashioned way.  

Each portion of the work scope should be broken down within the draws so that things are done in an orderly fashion, and you should only pay for work that is completed and has been verified in person by yourself or your trusted appointee (who should have construction experience and be independent of the contractor).  

Do you have anything to sale (car, jewelry, investments).

I guess I'll do it the old fashioned way, and not close until they are out, and I do my final walkthrough.