It is essential to research your buyers, but also to build a good strong list in case your first buyer does not come through.

This may seem more reasonable than arbitrary $25 rent bumps each year, but essentially covers you in a similar way.

I think narrowing to five national markets is essential as a good market can make a deal over a 5 (or greater) year period.3.

Buyer got her financing and the paperwork will always be straight.

It’s not a big deal just additional costs and paperwork to make sure everything is done legally and everyone is protected and have received and signed proper disclosure documents.

However , we have essentially been house hacking if you will and want to continue that trend moving forward .Buying , living in it and adding value over a small period of time and then refinancing and renting it out .

I currently have a realtor (friend) helping me out on making the best decision and at the very least would be used as a facilitator to take care of any paperwork.

Yeah that $42/mo increase is just from you bridging the gap and getting a lesser mortgage because of a lower appraisal, you're essentially paying yourself for overpaying.

@Joshua Van Every depends when you left - the city is getting a totally different vibe and energy, prices have been going up every year, median SF sales prices 8% in the last 12 months, but the neighborhoods have essentially not changed that much.

Doing some work to find great deals and not just picking stuff off the MLS can essentially "earn" your down payment.