I'm in agreement with a number of the comments regarding condos and the HOA component; fees can be adjusted and increased significantly depending on what the HOA board decides and above all, you are giving up significant control over your property in my opinion that could limit or make appreciation, resale and exit strategy options less than optimal.A small SFR 3/2 purchased well under market as an REO a number of years ago is where I started and funny enough is still one of the best performing properties in my portfolio.Good luck and congratulations on your decision to invest- above all, lock in your strategy and then execute it.

I'm surprised that folks don't have their own locks on their interior doors.If you pay the utilities, then this isn't a typically rooming house.

I'm using New American Funding.I know I could buy with cash then do a cash out refi, but I don't want to do that because I'm already locked in at 4.25% and have already paid $550 for appraisal, all of which I would lose if I go the route of cash out refi.

A delay like this could be costly if the seller changes his mind before you are ready with a contract to lock the seller in.

We have already locked in 3 properties.This particular property the numbers presented from the seller were not accurate once we were able to look them over in depth.

James Locke. 

I don't want to miss out on opportunities because I'm locked into one single strategy.Regards,Nate Barbee

When I used to work with buyer's agents, they would normally just give out the lock box numbers so that I could go look at the homes (if they were vacant).

Put it in writing and put it in their business drop box (locked for safety reasons).

I am an Arizona investor that grew up in the Phoenix area and went to high school in Tempe.First off most of Tempe is somewhat older since its borders are land locked and cannot expand.