You can buy a smaller multifamily and use an asset based, commercial loan, where DTI is not a factor.

Meaning, if I have 50 SFR, that's 50 roofs, 50 drives to check on units, 50 loans, 50 closings, etc.

You should consider several factors: 1) Time frame/urgency to get a loan 2) Loan amount 3) Lowest interest rate.It's very unlikely you can get all three.

My commissions have more than paid for then license and allowed me to spend a little more on deals than I normally would have since I get to factor in the commissions.

Not my cup of tea, but Boston has a lot of great things going for it that in the long run I think you could make it work.If by multi-family though you mean a 5+ building that you're presumably going to look for in the Midwest or South...it's in its own bubble as a disturbingly large number of people who made bank in the last 10 years of the up market are shifting their focus to a larger scale asset and are purchasing these distressed properties which is driving cap rates down because people need a place just to park their cash. 

I asked if they would be open to us using a buyer’s agent, and they said they would have to factor in the costs to their asking price.

Have a friend who lives near your old home drive over and see if it is vacant.

Coupled with rapid population growth, it’s driving an affordability crisis that leaves many residents looking for homes far from job centers and essential services."

(But I would also add that that is why I don’t drive carelessly and drunk and I keep my properties in excellent condition.)

Lauren, who I mentioned above is really the workhorse driving that effort for the Pro Memberships, big, big thank you to her!