In fact, you'll probably get better terms on the refinance if you are living there, I know my local bank will let me do 85%LTV loans without mortgage insurance if owner occupied, but I can only get 75% LTV on investment properties and the interest rate is better by about 0.5% on owner occupied.

Local guy who some other investors use. 8. 

Your local S8 Housing Commission should have an info sheet on their website that shows their deductions if landlord chooses not to include electric, gas & water.Even more critical, your $680 mortgage amount, that you appear to be comparing to the S8 rent, should include ALL the other housing ownership costs: property taxes, insurance, vacancy/tenant nonperformance (S8 tenant may have to pay part of rent), maintenance & miscellaneous.Suggest you use the BP Calculator for this.

Renter may break contract early with $5,000 penalty and 30 days noticeAdditional context: Hawaii is a hard market for locals and first time homeowners to enter.

The agent herself was not local and this was a low prices listing she wasn't thrilled about working.

I am particularly interested in learning from experienced professionals, participating in local events, and contributing to community projects.I am very much looking forward to meeting and working with you and other members of the community.

A very good source of local analysis is rereport.com

Historically an excellent place to start your mortgage search for 5-20+ unit properties is a local credit union.

Is it essential to have a local lawyer to set up the trust correctly?

cash flow can decrease.I recommend everyone start in their local market whether that is a cash flow market or appreciation market.