@Ayo Odusanyain the grand scheme of things, you still mainly only pay tax on realized gains. 

In the grand scheme of things, it's not a large expense, but still something to consider. 

In general we ensure the base quotes come through high-dollar restoration companies, we get maybe 65% of that amount, and the whole job is funded through a normal contractor with a few reductions in quality (no new hardwood floors, it becomes LVP for example).As long as you have an experienced project / property manager on your side you will do nicely on claims.Lastly, I chose ACV coverage for my portfolio because I am not hand-to-mouth broke...if a claim comes back a few grand short it's not a crisis.

It's a tough one, and I alway advocate for taking action now if you can afford it and it gets you started, over waiting and looking for a grand slam. 

Another concern might be the light commercial zoning for a FHA loan but as long as your property's residential use is grand fathered in then it might be okay.Currently title shows it as SFR so it should be okay.

I'd take the 3 out of the 5 grand and invest it in an index fund and get used to seeing progress of your assets growing and put some sort of automatic contributions to the fund.

I'm looking at Joshua Tree National Park, but keeping my eye on near Grand Canyon too. 

For a 2 bedroom I’m looking at at least 6 grand down.

I live in Grand Rapids mi.

(you need about 42/43 because of closing costs and miscellanous fees )Than you cash flow increases tremendously...Say you mortgage is 28000 your paying be 135 at 4 percent 300-135 165165 x 5 = 825825 x 12 $9900So basically 3 years to get your investment back... than 825 month is all yours... not to mention your principal gone down about 5 grand in 3 years... and your investment value probably gone up 5 percent..So I’m 3 years you get your money back and be up 6750Repeat the process to your comfortable with your incomeDon’t be lazy now.. it might seem difficult to get 5, but like anything in life.. the more you do it... the better you are.... it become as easy a withdrawal of cash from an atm machine 🥳🥳🥳