Now, if you want a 50K property renting at 700 plus you are forced into the D neighborhoods.

This did drain that fund, but it also kept the impact to our personal finances very minimal. 

If they do it in steps over the years this will have a big impact on cash flow over the years while they raise the values back up.

Has your girlfriend been impacted by the new regulations?

In February I left my W2 job as an Air Force officer (extra info: one of my duplexes is using a VA mortgage).  

Around 5% 20 year wirh a resy after fIrst 5.80% out wIrh force apprecIatIon can yIeld toy a very nIce return!

You must make sure you are honest with any landlord that calls for a reference.Never allow your decisions to negatively impact other landlords.

My budget is so tight that a 25k difference in impact fees can determine if the project is feasible or not.

IF they don't, they force you to make conservative assumptions (e.g. expenses, capex, vacancy, etc.) and you end up putting in a lower offer.Another tactic / strategy is to simply give him his price (with the proper out clauses), get the information and then re-negotiate the price.

I'm assuming you have one or more side gigs other than working for BP. 401k contributions will not impact you either way.