We have two 1 year olds so being in a safe neighborhood is vital to convincing my wife that this is the best move to getting to financial freedom as quickly as possible.

I dream of financial freedom (as I would think all of you mostly do LOL) but I also want to start my REI adventure because I'm tired of the 9-5, I want more time with my family, and I want more purpose in life than just delivering pizzas.

Beware when reading that the Canadian/Ontario real estate/financial environment here is nothing like that in the US.

The economy is turning around and we are in a better financial place as well as a returning market.  

My budget for Kansas City stands at 180,000 for either a fixer upper or a turnkey. 

Maybe they will stand behind their work.

The one other applicant has an average score of 653 but his income is only $35K so he doesn't have the greatest financial stability as well (he is current on all payments though).

We converted the property from a 3BR 1BA into a 2BR and 2BA with a full master suite with walk in closet and stand up shower with double vanities.

My husband says he trusts me and supports me (knowing that I am the financially savvy one in the family), but he is a quite pessimistic given that he is a police officer and only sees the worst in people (think tenants pouring cement down the toilet, taking the water heater with them when they leave, or landlord/tenant eviction calls).

I wish I had been as aware and financially advanced as you are now when I was that age!