I am practicing using the calculators and would love some input to see if I am reasonably close or if I am way off.

The reason is I know which lenders:do a good jobstay on top of the necessary tasksknow how to be creative within the rules (some people don't fit into the standard mold of a buyer, and some lenders don't know how to get them approved, and some lenders know how to get them approved)and which lenders can actually close deals.Another reason is, as someone like you who wants to house hack, not all lenders are experienced in it.

I need a good ready to hang solution.For this same reason (being 3000 miles away), it is difficult for me to match colors.

For this reason, I recommend tenants not only take pictures of the property before they move in but also after they move out. 

There is a reason there are so many properties for so cheap and nobody is buying them.

Also consider that sometimes the actual closing of the property sometimes can be lengthy for various reason.

Option Expires WorthlessBuyer / tenant is unable to finalize the sale for whatever reason.  

I recently wrote a blog post on this very subject:Top 5 Reasons We Pros are TOTALLY Ignoring Your BP Forum QuestionsHope this helps!

Can anyone recommend a reliable and reasonable handyman in Philadelphia.

I was offered a lease option on one my properties recently and for essentially all the reasons you just mentioned, I declined.