I'd ask for the camera footage if the person who did the inspection has it and shop around, it is not uncommon for a vendor to see the value of a house, size someone up and recommend higher priced fixes than are necessary.

You should absolutely shop around, I've found that the loan products that banks and credit unions will offer vary so much!

@Nicklaus McCain first, at this point of the market environment please keep in mind that rent increase may not be possible in the next 3-6 or even 2 months.There is a wide range of ways you can reduce expenses apart from the ones you mentioned above.One of the easiest ways is to shop around for better quotes for Insurance and contract services.

Saying 'no' to pets will drastically reduce your candidate pool, so you might shop for a pet-friendly house (hard floors, securely fenced yard).Even if you're cool with pets, you should meet the specific pets and have a good long talk with the candidate on that animal's temperament and quirks prior to agreeing to lease to them.

I usually like to invite new investor focused agents for coffee or lunch, but these days a phone call seems more appropriate.

@Ken Calvin I'm not sure I understand why you want to look for further proof from this person when you already don't get a good feeling.There's so much money out there chasing so few deals, you can find another lender easily enough.I'd recommend connecting with local real estate groups and/or local attorneys, ask around who good local private lenders are, and then give them a call or have coffee with them (even if outside and socially distanced).

You rented here because it was close to your job, bars, restaurants, nightlife, shopping, etc.

1) The landlord who also uses this money to pay their mortgage, car, food, shopping, etc it's recycled into the economy. 2) The mortgage servicers, these guys are like an insurance company for investors (your 401K, retirement funds, etc) so when the investor buys mortgages servicers guarantee payment of principal and interest, stop the payment they have to continue to pay this to the investors so they end up having no liquidity to recycle the money into the system.

@Keiffer Putman - This is normally where I suggest we grab a cup of coffee, but, maybe just a phone call these days!

At least with a warranty plan, you do not waste time price shopping or getting gauge by contractors.Small Team:  Ideally you have your go-to contractors.