A lender should be able to structure the loan to reflect at least a 1.00 DSCR.

@Ange JohnsonUnfortunately, the IRS will adjust the return to reflect proper depreciation and calculation of depreciation recapture in the event of an audit.People think negatively of depreciation recapture but its actually a positive.You can potentially be getting a deduction at the highest tax rate when the depreciation is taken and only pay 25% max upon the sale.

So reflecting back to all the comments on the 'correct rents' in your area - if you're sure that the rental amounts are NOT up to standard - why wouldn't you want to start with an empty building, make your repairs, and then rent Or kick the one that won't show you their unit ... move into it while you fix up whatever's needed over the first few months, while you're raising the rent on the other side. 

OK maybe this is only a reflection of the current market -- not been at this long enough to try to pass myself off as anybody with any degree of experience.And getting back to the OPs question, as an investor, broke or not, you still need to get these properties at a price point that makes sense, otherwise you are going to have a hard time renovating them and having enough equity to really quality for a cash-out refi.What am I missing? 

I took some time last night to reflect and figure out what I’m looking for and what I kept coming back to was: I want to use my property to supplement my monthly income and allow me to seize opportunities to purchase additional properties and repeat.

@Corby Goade Very good questions that I probably need to do more reflecting on.

The guest reviews of the property reflected poor management in more than one way.

Wanted to do a quick update after leaving my W-2 job 18 months ago today, with some reflections on what those 18 months have looked like and where I'm headed from here.Quick background: I got started in REI a little over 4 years ago with one SFR rental in Kennesaw, GA (Cobb County, northwest Metro Atlanta). 

Final ThoughtsOne thing I reflect on quite a bit now is how to reconcile house hacking with my newfound family life.

J Scott is currently out of the Washington, DC area so lets assume his pricing is reflective of that.