A 3% increase in rent on a $3,000 a month rental is more cash in hand than on a $1,000 a month rental.

The road is not in, the water main not installed, the sewer main and laterals not installed, etc.Just having the engineering done, and the plan approved, adds significant value to the land, and makes it attractive to a developer who now, doesn't have to go through all that work.

However, rents increase.  

And 99% of the time that happens at tenant turnover...not 7 months into their leaseIf the market "softens" then I may pause any increases, but I never drop the rental rate unless the market plummets.

Although the Washington returns are attractive, the politics are scary as an investor.

My favorite sponsor is vertically integrated and local their portfolio.I also agree that historic levels (40-year highs) of inflation, interest rate increases, and government intervention is/are clear black swan events. 

Assuming I purchase a house with the intent to fix and flip in a 6 month window, do the carrying costs I pay increase my cost basis, such that my taxable profit is decreased?

Would increase by at least 50% to be safe!

Could it greatly increase your DTI ratio?  

As long as you pick the right areas in San Antonio, your rental will do well and your rents will continue to increase year over year.2.