The same lender said if they could come up with the other 5% they can go 30 year fixed interest only..This is more attractive for cash flow on a higher loan balance but will still be qualified based on the fully amortized rate and payment. 

I guess the word "starting" is a bit misleading because...We have a SFH we have been renting out for several years. 

@Wayne Kennoff- thanks   1) getting a personal referral is a good place to start 2) if you have narrowed down the options to a few -  contact both on the same  days and ask them for whatever  quotes  for your scenario ...ask for a loan cost worksheet  if  possible .  ...if their pricing ends up being  the same - make a decsion based on the  feel  for  cutoner  service you get when communicating with them.   3)  make sure they  disclose all the fees  related to the  refinance  ( not just their  own fees ) ..4)  reviews are   hard to  use to make a decision ( as you found out ) 5) rates are pretty high right now for rental  properties ....if you can wait to  refinance - you might consider doing so ...if you need to refinance - so be it ...Good luck 

I know there are lots of web based tools, but those are pretty hard wired. 

Some states have source of income protections that would not allow you to decline an applicant solely based off of their participation in section 8.

I'm reaching out to share a cautionary tale based on my recent experience with a fintech bank issue involving Yotta and Synapse.

And that house, is 1.5 years on market, and its in an area with other houses that are in the $5-15 million range.So I do find it hard that the agent who looked at it is determining based on comparable sales that the property is $600k, could get to $2 million.

-Julio Thanks Julio and appreciate the kind words!

If the rental license has been active within 3 years, you will be able to apply for a new rental license even if the base zoning is not compatible with a 2 family use.

I've been considering trying to break into the game as a photographer.