If you are buying it as an investment property, you are buying it at a much higher rate than a traditional owner-occupied loan so you must be in a primary residence now and are just planning a just-in-case scenario.At first, I thought this was a no-brainer answer as if you can do whatever you want, but those investment loans are banking on the income projected as part of the collateral for the loan so it's a good question.A seasoned lender or someone who has had to move back into one of their properties will get you the best answer.

And be care of taking advice from someone who has something to gain from you.I don’t understand how you can run any numbers if the occupation rate is a big unknown.

The only advice anyone could give you is to stop doing whatever it is that you are doing that is hurting your credit rating. 

Not a "hey let's read everything" journey, no, pick a strategy, get THAT highly rated "how-to" book. 

as Update to this post from 6 years ago, there are heloc's on owner occupied 2-4 unit properties up to 89.90% CLTV or combined loan to values (meaning multiple loans but all together not exceeding 90% of the value).Terms typically areinterest only first 10 years and drawable from the lineyears 11-30 its Principal and interest payment Prime index/rate + margin (this portion is fixed but prime is not)underwriting is done assume prime + margin + 2% stress test for underwriting meaning if your prime + margin was 10% then your underwriting rate used to determine your maximum line you can qualify for would be 12% rate as an example based on principal and interest payment over 30 years or 360 monthsIncome is the main determinant of your qualification and fico min 680+ is just the min score to get through the "front door,"Maximum DTI or debt to income allowed is 45% DTIMaximum lines on this product go from 500-750k so you can get a decent line size that can actually buy other BRRR's or fix flips and deals.

Hi @Denise MacDonaldUse this rating and classification system I have created over time to get an idea of the "Class" for the area - A class B class & so onhttps://www.areavibes.com/Here is my rating & classification for each livability score. 80 and above A+78/79 A76/77 A-74/75 B+72/73 B70/71 B-68/69 C+66/67 C64/65 C-60/63 D59 and below F

You want to either read your closing disclosures because it will state if you "Can" or "Cannot" switch the title vesting to an LLC.If you want to transition your primary into an investment property I would recommend using a Portfolio or DSCR program by doing a simple refinance either cash out or simple rate and term for intended use.

The capital gain, $100k, is taxed at capital gain rates.The $36,360 in depreciation recapture is added to and taxed as ordinary income (No ss/med tax) up to a max rate of 25%….since it was deducted from your ordinary income as you claimed it each year.  

You're locking in the rate for a longer period of 3-6 months on each CD. 

If you take a high rate, interest only bridge loan, you need to have a solid exit or you will pay tons in interest.