"if you have bad realtor and don't price it right the first time around..."20% of realtors are good, the others are, well . . . they're not making a living at it for a reason. ;-)

The main reason I even wish to sell it is not for the appraisal value, but because I would like to attain early financial freedom. 

I am a local union electrician for Alameda county and have been building up a list of contacts of the tradesmen I met throughout my career and got along with on the job site, these individuals specialize in their own trade and are trust worthy people in general which was a big reason we got along.

The reasons I'm interested in RE: 1) I want to start investing early.

@Lesley Ray if you are talking about your personal home yes that seems a little high to me and I would shop around.I presume because you are asking here on BP you are talking about an investor loan. 6% is a perfectly reasonable investor loan rate.

My family was very attached with the one we moved from, reason being the first home and the time and emotional attachement with the house we spend that we ended up renting and it’s still being rented after 8 years with good tenant and in great neighborhood.

Also, the market has definitely shifted a bit, which I think will provide even more reasonable opportunity for us. 

Unless you have a specific strategy, there's no reason to put down 25% on a 2-4 unit property.

If it does not have a direct coloration to your bottom line there is no reason to spend money other than necessary maintenance. 

3. exactly. don't give him a reason to rethink your deal 4. that's way too much for an appraisal anyway.appraisals are expensive, and this one is unnecessary. if it comes in low, you'll be sad about your deal. if it comes in high, the seller will be sad about his deal.