I’ve listened to a few episodes on a good number of these podcasts including Target Market Insights, Apartment Building Investing, and the combination of Grant Cardone, Rich Dad, and Dave Ramsey.

Would it be better to have my car and student loans paid off (about 10k combined) or to have a savings of 10k to show as reserves on the student and car loan?

Was the water and electric meters combined or are they still separate?

I just divert my high savings rate into paying down the 0% (introductory rate) credit cards I used for the rehab.I really recommend if someone is looking to start with their first deal and its an option, try to combine 2 or more of the multiple strategies they talk about on the podcast and at BP: Househacking, BRRRR, live in flip, partnership, syndicate, wholesale, 1031 exchange.

Lender - This person can put the numbers together(acquisition, rehab budget and ARV) and figure out if property has enough equity to cash out some or most of your down payment and rehab funds, as well as calculate cash flow to determine if property can be turned into a rental.A combination of what I mentioned above should curb your fear. 

I have a unique combination of factors that make me able to do a lot of research. 

Combine being an Ahole and stupid you have a top agent, just saying.

We own 3 FREE AND CLEAR properties with a combined value between 450-500k based on recent comps and have been having trouble pulling a heloc or getting a portfolio line of credit.

You are combining multiple large roles in real estate, among them the renovation GC, the landlord, the property manager, the acquisition specialist.Define a much smaller target area and start looking for off-market deals there.

You pointed out that combining apples with donuts do not produce meaningful (or valid) numbers.Let's start with the declining sales statement.