These are the steps as an agent I take to be fully vertically integrated throughout the buying/listing process.

I want to be able to assist people from every standpoint within the home buying/living process.

I am a residential remodeling contractor by trade with a solid understanding of the rehab process and a network of laborers and subcontractors that I can rely on, and thus plan on managing this first rehab myself. 

I am hoping I do not have to go through the evection process (done it before all the way to sheriff kicking the door in) and its quite daunting process, but the upside I guess would be I been through it all. 

I found your very valuable to me as I in the in the process of buying my first rental property in Saginaw as an OOS invester from CA. 

I'm currently in the process of building 2 new SFH in the Houston suburbs.

Should the process be the same?

But I don't think roommate income is a thing, and existing roommate income definitely isn't a thing if it's an apartment you're renting.I recommend you find a local mortgage broker who does conventional loans, give him/her a call, and ask to have a conversation about your borrowing limit *before* going through the pre-approval process.

its even worse in Chicago or in IL as there closing process is so difficult.. they do not have title and escrow in the same place you need and attorney to do this then you need title company to open title and well it aint the west cost were you can get these closed in 48 to 72 hours if you have a great relationship with your Escrow company that is also the title company..

Skillset Development: Given the potential savings, investing an hour to learn the process is justified.