The other great thing is that capital improvements, especially to common space is spread out between all the units.

that they'll give you the final step-up after improving and holding for 10 years.  

We are going to open a joint account and put the 10,000 dollars in there, and I am going to live in the duplex so we can qualify for the loan(This is my second investment property, I'm only 18 years old).  

I really think we, as landlords, have a long way to go to improve our image….. to that end I find  stunts like the above to be detrimental to the long term legal health of being a LL.

Then ask what improvements you’ve made.

Believe me, this is the tip of the iceberg in terms of the expenditures you will put out for improvements and maintenance.

The housing market is still crazy and I'd like to hold on to the house which is free and clear but it doesn't appreciate any more if I have 100% or 20% equity in it and we have already done all the improvements to the property inside and out so no value add opportunity there.

I think people also forget the cost of improvements and property management that eats into your profits as well.  

My advice would be to have a banker/broker/loan officer pull her full credit report and take a thorough look at everything causing the low scores.Quick fixes for just score improvement can be having a family member or a partner add you as an "Authorized User" on a credit card with a 30-40% credit balance to credit limit ratio. 

We will definitely over improve on the higher end so I’m guessing we would be closer to the 6 cap.