The best way to minimize your debt to income ratio is to pay off any and all revolving debt you can (credit cards). 

I don't know it just doesn't work for me taking out mortgages no matter how good the deal is even if it is so called 'good' debt. 

For exterior applications I have had great results with the Rustoleum Restore paint.  

@Phillip Syrios They probably look at debt/income ratio, credit limits, card utilization, length of employment, delinquencies, and bankruptcies.

I was told that once I sold the home via short sale, I would not be able to obtain another loan for 2 years.December 2013, the home sold in a short sale for $84,500 all of which went to settle the debt on the first loan.

The code violations, city/county/utility debts stay withe property.  

I would look for a restoration service like Servpro that specializes in fire/water damage, as compared to a contractor.

I have already used my VA loan for our primary residence and she was recently turned down for an FHA loan due to her debt to income ratio being to high (student loans).

I imagine this gets fuzzy real fast, considering that the lender would forgive a ton of debt, just for him to repurchase the home for a lower/equal price... 

If I am not mistaken, the insurance is related to the appraised value not the debt on the property.