We made 2 extra bedrooms out of an enclosed porch/ garage and added a bathroom.

@Eva Fox When you do find a property you want to exchange into, remember to leverage cost segregation to accelerate the depreciation to get extra cash-flow up front.

More then half of the down payment came from a HELOC on my condo, and the other half just working an extra 30 hours a week driving Uber. 

So now your only talking about an extra $200 a month until the furnishing are paid for.

The numbers just haven’t looked good enough (or about even) for the risk and extra work.

With any extra cash decide what you want to do-more rentals or other investments and then look at the rate of return vs what you'd save based on the interest rate for your mortgage.

A lot is discussed about leverage, but we need to pay extra attention to the higher risk loans that are adjustable, callable, expire or have other exceptions. 

If you have the $, features like extra wide doors to get a wheelchair thru, roll in shower, tall toilets, things like that can make it safer for everyone at some point. 

Lean and quick, no extra mouths that have to be fed.While you save and learn, drive for dollars (tired plexes are my favorite) and talk to garage sale holders and ask if they're planning to move.  40% or so are future sellers or tenants leaving.   

You shouldnt offer more than 70% then what you can get the property to apraise for - extra expenses. so for that 725 property that is starting at 315, and the highest apraisal value for this neighborhood with similiar building types are going for 400k.