However, we thought we could use a boost in the early going and so we waited to find a great home in a great upscale neighbourhood that had a rental unit in the basement. 

But paying off the cars should give you a nice boost when qualifying for your investment property, so well worth the effort, in my opinion.   

Not counting on it, but could boost me $10-15,000.The top has to go, it would still be around $60,000 to rehab a 960 SF 2 bed, which wouldn't work.

I will tell you that you will get a HUGE confidence boost when your first deal is done.  

I know it's a popular tourist destination and lots of large corporations have opened offices there to boost the city's economy.

Stumbled across BP and things have changed dramatically. 

House hack FTW to dramatically change your current condition quickly and effectively.A couple months later I also closed on a duplex in a great neighborhood here locally that will pay for itself handily even if the market softens a bit. 

I wouldn't deny someone due to low credit, then send them to someone to get their score boosted, so I could then change my mind on them.If they come to me with a 500 credit score, and you do some magic to get them to 700, they are 100% the same person they were before they saw you -- right?

A vast majority of that is entertainment, set up situations, and all of it dramatized.

Yes, I know, that is not how you are supposed to do this, but it worked out in the end and I got my first deal along with a boost of confidence.