The idea is for each refi is to get you back ALL of your original outlay ie. to not fall short by even $2k.Another idea about refi is that you should aim to achieve (low) conventional interest rates.I certainly agree that you shouldn't go above 75% leverage (especially if paying 8-12% interest).Once you run out of private Lenders, you'll likely be limited to 70% of appraisals thereafter, meaning that your future purchases should look for greater equity upside from the start. 

My main aims of using Bigger Pockets are:- to learn more about real estate investing- to build relationships with other agents and investors- to find wholesale deals- to post the occasional wholesale dealIn my spare time I am a boxing coach at Box N Burn in Santa Monica - try it out, great workout!

If there's a vacant unit in a duplex or triplex, you can move into the vacant unit and immediately make the building exempt from Measure EE.  

Lenders can (and should) aim to close by the buyer's desired closing date, and they should be able to set realistic expectations for everyone upfront, but they typically aren't under any contractual obligation to do so. 

According to tax records the house was almost 400 square feet bigger than what it actually was, that threw my numbers off significantly considering I had figured a per square foot price, and taught me an extremely valuable lesson about trusting anyone else's measurements. 

Tenant screening only measures risk, not guarantees against risk. 

I find myself in the midst of a buyer's market yet I don't know which investment property type I should be aiming to start with (I'm renting with my GF at the moment).

Be careful with assumptions.I simply believe that a measure of respect is called for, and that approaching someone with a helpful tone will better serve the purpose sought.

In the meantime, knowledge of the local real estate market is increasing, relationships with vendors are getting established and strengthened and the measured pace ensures that ones enthusiasm and ability to borrow doesn't get them into a hole.4.

No, cap rate measures what you are paying for POTENTIAL NOI.