That becomes critical in any situation where you want to use 1031 to diversify.   

If you are putting up the rehab cash, expecting $150k profit, you should get your rehab cash back & 50% of the additional profit. 

Sounds like that may be even more of a concern when you're working in lower income areas, as they're probably going to have more issues.On top of that, the property is listed as a 4plex, yet the county records show it as a triplex with a garage (so they likely converted garage to an additional unit), and the "land use" is defined as single-family (which is confusing, because the same page says the property is a triplex).Will be talking to the current PM hopefully today to get his opinion on the property and area as well.

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The additional cost above laminate will not likely be captured in your sale price however you need to know your local market as others have suggested..

Marcia, Thank you for the additional information. 

In addition, we are also pursuing Financial Independence through a mix of real estate and investment accounts. 

There's a big opportunity cost to paying down existing properties instead of purchasing additional ones. 

And, everything else you said boils down to PRECISELY what I said--the mortgage company is generating a lot of fees IN ADDITION TO their advertised interest rate.

Both units are the same size but the neighbors' house has a 3rd bedroom on the top floor (the builder reduced the size of the master bedroom and bath and put the laundry in the second bathroom to get the additional space for the very small 3rd bedroom).