After accounting for vacancy and repairs we're really only breaking even as far as cash flow, but we moved onto the site where my husband works and the savings on the rent vs. our mortgage is what has put us ahead. 

ONe way to make money is not look at hedge fund as killing a market just follow them and figure out how to buy a head of them and then sell to them.. that's what I am doing now in the space.

This normally isn't an issue so long as I inform the landlord/PM ahead of time but this created a lot of friction with my most recent property manager.

If the seller lowers the price significantly and it turns out just to be damaged finishes, you could well come out ahead of the game.

Go ahead and move here, everyone else seems to be.

The better strategy is to train your leasing agents to gather sufficient info ahead of time so you do not encourage would be deadbeat tenants from applying.

Just plough ahead and do everything your obligated to do.  

Since you are looking for short term financing, I would go ahead with any of these and pay them off as you refi the property

However, from my own experience, plenty of buyers refuse to listen to advice and go ahead regardless - taking on more than I personally would recommend.So I guess my main point is you can't just blame big banks and government for people who get into trouble with Homepath properties.

Don't sacrifice rushing it out the door, or accepting a tenant below your requirements just to get the unit out the door quickly.