The primary purpose is to protect the agent from investing time with a buyer only to be cut out at the end so that the buyer can save money by negotiating that agents commission into the deal to reduce cost.

Too stressful for me personally! 

Since we have two housing authorities in Bham and neither is particularly light on its feet, investors can lose a lot to wasted time for inspections, revoked or reduced vouchers etc.

If they opt for the pro-rated rent they will pay the reduced amount for month #2 since month #1 was prepaid at lease signing.

Tenant screening is key to help reduce turnover & future repairs. 

I wish I would've found your podcast and book prior to buying, would've saved me some stress. 

If you do go the commercial route you want to "stress test" the property you are getting a loan on.So if you get a 7 year fixed loan with  a 25 year amortization at say 4.5% fixed what does that look like over time?

The rents are at the high end for the area so I think the only way to increase the monthly cash flow is going to be by buying the property at a much reduced rate. 

I was successful in having one of the assessments reduced for one of my properties in the City of Rochester.  

This option may reduce the risk, if the market is uncertain and a quick sale, unlikely.