I saw this last time too where all these flips shows came out, seminars from educators were rampant, news stories were once again touting real estate as in vogue and a juggernaut that can't be stopped.I know agents right now buying cars,big houses, trips out the yang thinking (this is awesome).I am trying to make smart investments today and hold a certain liquidity position to take advantage of discounted assets in the future.There is talk that Trump's plan for reducing corporate taxes and road improvements might extend the cycle out 2 to 3 more years but nobody knows for sure.

They may double security deposit requirements (as allowed by law) for everyone, reducing if no animals are involved.  

I want to buy a property that I can live in and either create a second unit, rent out the bedrooms, only to reduce my own income going into the property/mortgage. 

Partial 1031 Exchange transactions are perfectly okay and are done for many strategic reasons, including, using of loss carry forwards, creating a cash position, reducing outstanding debt obligations, and taking some money off the table for any variety of reasons.

Real Estate Acquisition – single tenant retail, luxury homes, hotelshttps://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1646036/000147793216012403/united_1a.htmPFG Fund III, LLLCHard money lending and note fund in the state of Coloradohttps://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1594139/000147793216012367/pfg_f1a.htmCapital Cities Fund, LLCShort term lending to real estate investors – this has been since refiled, confidentiallyhttps://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/vprr/1500/15005680.pdfREIA Investments, LLCOlder Reg A for the purpose of purchasing Bulk REOshttps://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/vprr/1400/14007154.pdfCurrent Reg A’s not public: note purchase fund, mortgage origination fund, performing note fund, multifamily fund, multifamily ground up construction fund

The Moving Fee as a form of income to low income family is a toxic pill because 1_the moving fee is taxable by the City and State 2_Additional income could get their Earn Income Credit and Housing Assistance reduced and disqualified  3_Additional income could make the low income family disqualified for Medical benefit which force them paying out of pocket for Obama care or penalized by IRS for being uninsured.In that meeting, only small owners showed up giving testimonials and protest.

Really your relator should be the one telling you about what contingencies he can put in the offer but I will tell you a couple that are pretty standard that can be used to back out.Inspection and due diligence period contingency, 15 days or whatever you want really during which time you can inspect the property and if you find something you can back out or reopen negotiations with the seller to reduce the price or fix the problems.  

There are banks that could do a portfolio loan and there are lenders that will allow bulk purchases. 

If I were to take the gradual approach and take the $150 increase as Deanna suggested, the lost rent is reduced to $2300 which makes the loss easier to take, but the likelihood of an early departure even greater.Any other suggestions??

Track all off your expenses and incomes you are responsible for in report format and review them regularly with a few people that you trust in and understand your goals in an attempt to reduce expenses and increase your income in a way to increase your profit.