I've had the experience twice now where my higher offer was rejected (in a highest and best scenario) only to have the house go to a lower bidder. 

This would lower each months payment AND quickly refill the HELOC for the next deal. 

So if a house is listed for rent for $1000, it most likely rented for $1000 or lower, but Rentometer would always pick it up at $1000 even if it actually rented for $950.

If B- and below maybe you can offer one tenant lower rent to do it.

Furnace's and A/c units were old, had a discussion to lower offer due to this but eventual relented, only the future will tell if this will cost me a bunch.

I actually had one house where I removed the lower 2ft of drywall throughout the entire house and then treated everything. 

If the buyer has access to other sources of cheap capital, lender will probably have to be happy with the lower end of your range. 

We've always purchased turn-key properties and are now thinking of buying a true fixer-upper at a lower cost and renovating (i.e. adding higher, architecturally interesting ceiling, ripping out walls, and designing a modern space, etc.). 

(You’ll need to have an exterior enterance for the lower unit.) 

Whereas with a car- you could sell the car and STILL have debt.You could always do a mix of both- pay a HUGE down payment to have a bigger buffer between the home value and the mortgage + have a lower monthly payment.Regardless- even though it may be preventing you from buying RE at THIS MOMENT- you are doing a great job financially being completely out of consumer debt!