Hi Daniel, you and your wife are obviously kind-hearted people but I think your emotions are getting the best of you and potentially your pocketbook. 

I'll assume you didn't mean to insult me and certain things you said were just a product of emotions bubbled over, and my intentions in this response are also good. 

., you have many great points that would be interesting to take a deeper look at implementing in the screening process. 

Something much, much deeper about these striking individuals.

Analysis paralysis has a lot to do with emotion.

This took the emotion out of it.

Building your own should give you a deeper understanding of the key drivers / relationships that you may not get by looking at the BP calculator results. 

@Brandon Sturgill - I actually don't think that the macro data is pointless as it gives me a great starting point to find areas to dive in deeper. 

Bottom line, there is a logical and emotional component to all decisions.

I think everyone is giving solid advice regarding partnering or not, but I'm going to offer an additional perspective.If you are looking to house hack this, and then another in a couple years, and then grow from there, then yes, do it yourself with a minimal down payment on an FHA loan if you can.On the other hand, if you plan to get deeper into REI more quickly than that, then you should not only consider this particular deal, but future ones as well.