Looking at Zillow, I can easily find comparable properties in the area that were sold for less - with a bit of cherrypicking I can find examples going for 30-35% less2.

These are licensed typically and the agents are licensed agents. 

But for example my last two students both made over $250k their first year.

I know the builders are offering more incentives to buyers, but does new construction typically pan out well as investment properties?  

Do you have a real-world example of how umbrella insurance protected you? 

:Class A Properties:Cashflow vs Appreciation: Typically, 3-5 years for positive cashflow, but you get highest relative rent & value appreciation.Vacancy Est: Historically 10%, 5% the more recent norm.Tenant Pool: Majority will have FICO scores of 680+, zero evictions in last 7 years.Class B Properties:Cashflow vs Appreciation: Typically, decent amount of relative rent & value appreciation.Vacancy Est: Historically 10%, 5% should be applied only if proper research done to support.Tenant Pool: Majority will have FICO scores of 620-680, some blemishes, but should have no evictions in last 5 yearsClass C Properties:Cashflow vs Appreciation: Typically, high cashflow and at the lower end of relative rent & value appreciation.

I typically advice a cash out refi over a HELOC if you have an immediate use for the funds since HELOCs have variable interest rates, but you also want to take your current interest rate into consideration.

For companies, for example, the length of owning a company and owning other assets.

Passive real estate investing comes with its own challenges of course, most notably finding quality syndicators and the high minimum investment (typically $50-100K if you invest by yourself).

It's typically used for investment properties but I'm not aware of there being a prohibition against house hacking with a DSCR...?