And of course, getting financing squared away is key so you know your price range, which will help narrow down locations and strategies.

@Hank Bank BRRRR is probably want you want to do.Buy, Renovate, Rent, Refi, Repeat.Before you go all in and either find out you don't like being a landlord or you make costly mistakes, start with just the next one.You'll have some challenges with tapping the equity in the townhouse:1) What loan amount can you qualify with your credit & income?

You can decline them off their credit, background and for not having 2 past positive references.

of course the sale of hurricane damaged houses also confuses the issue (my house had no such damage but is only about 4 blocks from houses that did). 

This whole LBP thing again..I took the course in lead safely back in 2009.

Most banks won't want to come in with a line of credit that is second lien on the property.

We would all love to have that note that has 5 years of perfect payments, 800+ credit score and a 20-25% down payment. 

@Andrew Self there are attornies you can hire to resolve your credit issues.

Of course a member shouldn't conduct business with another member without doing their due diligence, but there is no reason why that can't be done privately.I personally know two women that were stalked because of their open membership on an internet forum. 

Of course, there is the lifestyle aspect.