NEVER give anyone the keys until you have all move in fees, money due you in your hands and utilities (if they are to pay them) placed in their names. 24.

But if you don't need the money now, San Diego is probably as good a bet as any to outpace the national home price appreciation rates over the long term.The other option is to cash out and put your $500k of equity to work somewhere else, maybe in turn key properties in the Midwest where appreciation is a more modest 2% (every city is different - I used Chicago to come up with 2%), but your return is weighted more to cashflow than appreciation (less risky).

Great advice across the board here.

He tells you there isn't any shortcut and that you need to budget, save, cut down on debt, follow the baby steps. 

Key is having the discipline to follow thru with the understanding that sometimes life can get in the way and our circumstances change. 3.)

They will understand and most likely be on board.

I couldn’t make it past the first paragraphI never would have given her the keys. 

@Lee Ribeiro the key ingredient to receiving a conforming cash out loan is you. 

@Jeremy England A couple of things you should consider... 1) When doing rehabs, don't take the short cut.

What are some key issues to consider?