I feel for a mortgage it is better to pay the minimums, as long as that interest rate is low.

I'd focus more on the market. if you are looking for new builds that cash flow I'd look at markets with low cost of construction in the midwest that also have good market drivers.

I know that the term "service animal" is often used interchangeably with "emotional support animal", etc.

As soon as you have an agreed-upon contract the EM check will be cashed.

@Natasha RooneyColumbus, OH would be a good fit for a long term buy and hold with enough cash to pay for itself and have a little left over every year to reinvest.

Maybe you get someone paying cash or using conventional financing. 

I'd search something along the lines of "[city] cash buyers", "[city] wholesale real estate", "[city] real estate investment", etc.Investor friendly agents are also great ways to source deals.

If you don't respond, they're off to the next opportunity.1-2 days may be too long, especially in a competitive market.

It really made a difference in terms of room we had to work with. 

You can do a HELOC on rental properties with some lenders to access the cash, but you’re essentially taking more debt out on them.