You might save a lot of money in the long run and have a better chance at winning the deal.Grants are good, but tough to use these days unless maybe you want to buy in a more rural area where the competition is not as tough perhaps.Start saving as much cash as you can right now for a great down payment and appraisal shortfalls.Cash is king right now so gather as much as you can.

@Travis Jones Appraisals do not cost $1500. 

But I wasn’t able to get 80% of the appraised value back in cash which didn’t make my BRRRRs look good on paper.

I may do single appraisal or a package deal for all 5 properties.

APPRAISED value is determined by a mortgage lender's appraiser and will form the basis of how much the lender will be willing to lend a buyer to buy the property. 

Also my company has seen, and other RE folks I talk to have noticed as well, that homes aren't appraising like they were a few months ago.

I am concerned the appraisal will come back low due to past small unit appraisals. 

Appraisal came in lower than I would have hoped for. 

Let me tell u the story)I bought and fixed the house with hard money at 14%I was working with a commercial lender to refi the house to 5.375% over 30yrs.Paid for appraisal. then submitted a lease from my buyer. then had to hv the buyer move in because the appraiser had to verify that the house wasn't vacant before they could close.

I was wondering, should i try and appraise it before or after we rent it out?