I have family in Nashville and am looking to purchase/relocate a primary residence in either Franklin, Mt.

I have been turned down by BofA, citing high DTI (90%?). One of the reasons is I claimed losses on my 2 rentals. Any other ideas I can pull money out from my primary? 

@Daniel Pitta In my opinion Background checks are the number one best way to vet a prospective tenant.Many things fall under background checks like calling their employer and previous landlords.Also I know some PM's that like to sneak and peak in their car and see if is junky, if so they is likely how they will treat your property.Also these same people will find an excuse to stop by their current residence and look in the door for the same reason.W-2 paycheck verification.No evictions in last 5 years.Tenants make 3x the rent.If they can't come up with all move in money don't rent to them.They ones that beg and plead for you to rent to them you should run from.Make sure they have stable employment - same job or in same field for 2 years or longer.Get a larger deposit than 1 months rent to encourage them to give you proper notice when they move and that they don't try and use deposit as rent when they move out and that they also leave your property in good condition.

Too many people buy a home that is great as a primary residence but sucks as an investment.

But you don't have to do it in such a way to limit your active investing.Use refinances now while money's easy to separate your debt from cash properties and personal from business.I'm guessing that IN has protections for homeowners and your primary residence. 

It' not in a high traffic area, so the only people that would see the sign are residents in the neighborhood.

I am a civilian contractor stationed in the Middle East and have no primary residence in the States. 

Does anybody know of portfolio lenders willing to work with Canadians (I guess technically I’m a non-resident American, but my money partner is Canadian)?

As long as they sell it when they can still claim to have lived in it for 2 out of the 5 years prior to sale then they will get the $500K primary residence exemption. 

Currently, I am traveling and I do not have a primary residence and so I plan to purchase this home with that type of loan.