“I don’t much care where–” said Alice.

To be clear..operators CAN LEGALLY "wholesale" if that is their desire:1. own the property and resell (some call themselves "wholesalers" and others call themselves "flippers"2. be licensedThe main reason for this post was to make people aware that some teachers don't know the laws or don't care. $5400 is a lot of cash to pay for BAD information.

Dan or Joe at TCS MGT will be able to give you more information on the rental license than you care to know. 

Now I am in the process of fixing the two units to get them rent ready and taking care of deferred maintenance on the other two.  

So for these, you just need to work out how much less than ARV you care to go.But if you're talking commercial (5+ units), then yes, rent is very important in helping determine value, because their market value is heavily influenced by the market cap rate there!

Based on feedback from other hosts I will probably add a TV in the living room and portable air conditioning in the bedroom this Spring.I am very careful not to allow long stays because I want families that are vacationing -- not homeless people who seek to establish residency. 

Whether I purchase it cash or with conventional financing, the banks only want to lend/refinance up to a specific LTV (usually 70-75%) on the purchase price EVEN if I buy the property at a significant discount (e.g. 50% of its current market value).In the past I've always struggled with this same issue, and thus eventually I end up tying all my capital in properties and I'm unable to purchase more (even hard money lenders want you to put some skin in the game).

Anyone out there who has taken a DIY approach to REI (ie not through turnkey companies) and is actively investing in 3 or more markets (meaning not just holding rentals from once upon a time but still looking and buying in at least 3) care to chime in?

Took care of the landscapping myself rather ham hiring it out.3.

The rules have changed over the years and you have to be sooo careful nowadays.