We have seen appraisal variations approaching $100,000 on properties priced less than $250k.  

There's too much variation to predict exactly what each type is willing to offer as a minimum or a maximum.My partner on the rentals we own didn't believe in cash for keys at all so we never offered on the foreclosures we bought together.

Google “sub metering solutions/devices” or some variation of that.

There are variations by state depending on if the seller is in foreclosure or if you are doing lease options and things like that.

Each system has 217 key variations to choose from.Always change rekey the locks and deadbolts after a tenant moves out.We use key number 217 as our contractor key.

Even if you don't think you know people with such funds, often people will have old retirement accounts from previous jobs that can be rolled over to self-directed IRAs, allowing you to set up a win-win scenario - you get good rates and favorable lending terms, they get a better return secured by local real estate and managed by someone they know.Lastly, I've noticed a lot of increased activity in the syndication space, which is a variation of private financing but expanding beyond friends and family.

I'm sure it has a lot to do with the fact that they have to be the most mixed of all breeds out there and I can guarantee you that at least in FL, if you go to a humane society anywhere, there will be at the very least 60% of the poor dogs there are all some variation of a pit.

@Joshua Costa it’s not clear what your question is, but I’m assuming you’re asking if there’s a way to buy another property with FHA sooner, despite what your mortgage guy said.Since it’s a Federal program (FHA), the fact that it’s in R.I. doesn’t affect anything.I think you could/should ask the question of another mortgage person but I’d be prepared for the answer to be the same.I also always recommend building relationships with local banks and credit unions who hold onto their loans (portfolio lenders), like Pawtucket Credit Union, Navigant, Washington Trust, Coastway (now Harbor One) etc.Often down payment requirements are a little higher, but not always, and you get a lot more variation/flexibility because they set their own terms for the loans - they’re not reselling them on the secondary market so the loans don’t have to fit into a rigid box (be “conforming” in mortgage-speak).I think it’s worth exploring, especially to start building long term banking relationships which will help when you buy more properties, but you may still find FHA is the best deal - it’s hard to compete with the Federal government :)I did a little research and it seems you’re mortgage person might be right, but I still think you will learn a lot from checking with another source and especially meeting local lenders.

@Michael Goldsmith - there has been research done which shows the amount of variation in Zestimate vs value.

There will be some variation of documentation, seasoning and terms.