It just depends on what your expectations are.Realistically could you expect to house hack and have your mortgage payments be lower than renting?  

I don't think anybody truly understands how the scoring works and depending on the company, you can see a difference of 100 points between the three scoring agencies (personal experience).  

It all depends on what you are trying to accomplish and if you have a specific type of property you want to buy.

Pricing can really range depending on the size of the slippage and if shore jacking is needed or not.

Depending on the market it could work in your favor.

They may charge some points and will loan anywhere from 70%-100% depending how experienced you are and how much business you have done with them.

Even if it did get bid up a few thousand dollars, I think it would still be profitable and worth it (depends on who you ask though).I'm geographically familiar with those areas I lived in South Euclid and Lyndhurst each for a year.

If you don't do this right, you could have them in place for months...You could also make your offer depending on the units being empty.  

I maybe able to put you in touch with someone depending on which burbs you are looking for.  

It all depends on your lease.