But if you want to see that baseline index... the chart is adding vertical space on the Y axis every week as it continues to hit the top of the chart.The big question for me as a lender: when I preapprove someone, knowing they are going to spend weeks or months house hunting, and looking at that trend-line, should I be qualifying them at current rate + 0.25%, or current rate + 0.75%? 

I have honest, reliable, skilled guys.

For example, in some cases you can use 75% of the potential market rents added to your max PITI to qualify for the loan for up to 1.2 million.

If you're comfortable with debt and can qualify for this much financing, that $140k could give you several down payments.The point is you're in a position with a lot of options, and most of them will result in greater cash flow, fewer fees, and much better diversification.

One, take a hard look at yourself and what sort of experience, skills and passions you have.

I can say that while these were terrible experiences, I am now a fully qualified plumber and electrician and much better at selecting tenants.

HSAs, on the other hand, require only a high-deductible health care plan where the deductible is high enough to qualify the plan for an HSA.

Regardless I would keep taking applications until you can select the most qualified applicant which ideally will not be this applicant.Set your screening standards high.

It's a combination of knowledge and skill.

@Jonathan Roszkowski Yeah with your skill set in IT you might look at the "Silicon Slopes" in Utah, or even some cities in Texas like Austin, but because it would be your primary residence as well you have to pick a city that you would be comfortable living in.