CMHC insures on the commercial side, a lot of times if you read their policies it sounds appealing but in practice doesn’t actually result that way.CMHC May offer 80% LTV on a residential building, but then when they qualify it, they value the building at a way lower price point than purchase and only lend 80% on that price point vs.

I'm a big fan of using what is there, cash-flowing it and using the cash-flow over time to improve the property.

I am looking to live in the home, while making minor improvements while living there.

I would probably avoid somthing that old rural, as the return on improvements will be more marginal.

That is fine if it is the right size and material, but if not, why not measure it and go to the home improvement store and buy the material to do the repair right.It was taking them a longer than average time for them to rent the house and it had already been vacant a month before that due to my last property manager.

Any practical tips either way would certainly be appreciated.Thank you!

I'd suggest finding a brand new, completely inexperienced, wet behind the ears agent, that could use the practice anyways, hasn't been hardened by a lot of rejection yet, and has nothing better to do. 

That wouldn’t be best practices.

Most deals I get never make it to Zillow, most don't stay on market more than ~48 hours. practice analyzing deals, know what you want, and when you find the right one: shoot to kill.

Even more so if it is one that you can fix up while you live there and slowly improve it as well to get forced appreciation.