You can go about it both ways, you can get it under contract after you've been pre-approved for funding but it really shows the lender you're serious if you have it under contract already.The price of the house won't change drastically after it's under contract, so we'll know how much funding you'll need and you'll have a clearer financial picture from which to plan from.Let me know if there's anyway I can help!

How do I get financed for this number of properties and maintain a debt to income ratio that will continue to solicit lender approvals for these mortgages?

I told to a financial planner in the midst of the Great Recession.

They will likely be hit with a tax bill for the amount of debt forgiven however.

Personally, I like the freedom to pay off a debt as soon as possible.

I have been consulting people and governments for years on financial matters and legislation.

I don't know at what stage of the process you and your brother are at in this process.Here are some thing to consider, when you say 50/50 is that your financial split? 

That will depend on if we are able to find a financial partner to help with the cash needed so I'm not tying up all of my money in one project.

Flips are great, but building a portfolio of rental properties is more appealing to me from a long term financial standpoint. 

I am a Financial Education Service Agent helping clients of Real Estate Agents correct their credit issues so they can obtain home ownership.