Down side the houses in this price range are older and possibly not in best neighborhoods, more repairs possibly harder to find good renters.2.

If you like to have a ceiling fan in your house get whatever you want and take it down when you convert it to a rental.

For flips the largest value adds are bathrooms and the kitchen so this could be something for you to wait on until you either are ready to sell or see that the condition has gone down of the existing countertops.

If you choose to spend them in paying down the loan, that is up to you. 

Easier to refinance and retrieve down-payment? 

Don't trust a company - especially not some large nationwide corporation, which employs people you have to track down!

One thing I add is you want to write down the type of landlords (owners) you do NOT want to work with.

Normally if you are not living in the property, you need a 20% down payment.

I have been saving money and I believe I have enough for 10-15% down on a small family home.

Let me know if need more.Location: Secaucus NJ2 bed 2 bath with balcony on high floor. 1396 sf.Paid $284k with 20% down and approximately $13k in closing, including 2 months maintenance fees $1470 total, and mortgage broker fees approx $3k.