However, most commercial mortgages offered by community banks still demand interest rates of 6.75 - 7.50%, and hard money/ debt funds demand even higher rates. 

Many lenders are hesitant to provide long-term financing to first-time homebuyers, which could limit your funding options.Finally, consider this: if you invest your cash reserves in one property, how long will it take you to save enough to buy your next investment property? 

30-year fixed rate mortgage at 4.375%, no points.

Exports download quickly and you can export MLS listing info (including agent contact info), tax info, foreclosure info, and mortgage info along with all the regular property info. -  They have a ton of preset lead types including Absentee Owners, Free & Clear, Vacants, etc and MLS and Pending.-  Lead stacking works well, and I like their Advanced Filters.

The next steps will involve accurate construction cost estimates by a licensed contractor (or two) and connecting with a lender (possibly current local bank) for construction financing.

The most obvious is that you will be able to offset your mortgage with renting out a few rooms.

Roam buyers save up to 50% on monthly mortgage payments compared to those who buy a home with a traditional mortgage at current rates." is what the company keeps on pushing out from a PR front, but it just sounds suspicious to me.

All in, it should cost me around 35k and the mortgage is 45k at 5.75% with a payment of around 645 and HELOC I used for repairs at around 350.

As a lender your credit is shot now, a BK would make it that much worse compared to trying to repair it, but sometimes a BK can repair it faster. 

But I got my RE license at 18 and brokers at 20.. when I needed it I got my Mortgage bankers license as well..