In this case the current financials on the property aren't great(rents well below market value and the owners family living in several of the suites) so the lenders will likely not provide the funding based on poor NOI.  

You don't need to add the extra step of doing a cashout refi as you aren't keeping it and it costs a lot of money to cashout refinance.

It’s safer, and honestly you aren’t spending it, you’re moving it from one asset class to another.

Higher-end finishes and staging make sense for a flip but aren’t always ideal for a rental.

The problem is that non-government jobs aren't permanent.

Also how do folks feel about Real Estate buyers who aren't investing for maximum Cash-flow, but instead investing for long-term equity, appreciation, and eventual cash-flow?

Expensive and desirable aren't synonymous.

To not invest with people who aren't actual operators, who are in it for the long haul, managing the assets themselves, and very hands on. 

Keep in mind that landlords in expensive markets aren't making an profit (cash-flow) on rent.

We aren't even implementing what we learned because we are too busy dealing with a personal issue and haven't been able to travel much for the last couple of years.