Primarily, we are looking for BRRRR and buy & hold properties and know rehab expenses are imminent.Question - What's the best way to increase our lending limits without completely tanking our scores?     

We would like to stay in Utah and we need to stay here as long as my husband has the business but the idea of moving somewhere else is not completely out of the question.

One of the requirements when completing a 1031, is your intent.

I did a re-shingle on a duplex in 2005 and the roof completely failed last year. 

Just completed my masters degree!

Or after all turnover repairs/fixes are completed?

Anyway, I'll post a summary of our first deal when it's complete and tell you all about it.

If you really don't want to live in the house hack, I think that it's more likely that you could take ownership of a small multi-family property by securing owner financing and avoiding the FHA loan process completely.

The reason why Walnut Creek and Pleasanton/Dublin are more expensive is because they are low crime areas with good schools, also when you go there the feel is completely different from Hayward.

I currently have a SFR undergoing renovations that should be complete by mid-August.