It could swing by $1000 in closing costs and by 1/4% which is significant.Note if you put less than 20% down you may need to pay mortgage insurance which is like an add-on to your mortgage and you need to make sure the loan you get will allow you to cancel that PMI when you have 20% equity.   

You cant swing a dead cat in oklahoma without hitting a turnkey company!

However, because of this rough "estimating", costs can swing wildly.I've also learned that I need to frequently question the costs nicely. 

I'd prefer large complexes but I have a young family and a golf habit that sucks up a lot of free cash that could be saved for a purchase like that.So, I found a 1950s ranch on slab in Colerain Twp (the Northbrook Area for those familiar) that I was able to purchase for $23,500 at auction and was pleased to find a new roof, newer kitchen, new mechanicals, newer bathroom, etc. when I inspected the house.  

That section right there is very bad BUT from what I see is that they are starting to construct SFR from the golf course towards the train track.

Looked like someone had spent some time fixing and painting, nothing fancy, just basic house.About a month later I'm playing golf with an agent friend of mine who mentions that this place might be in my price range.

In 10 years, in theory I should be making more money from the Day Job so I should be able to swing the principal+interest payments.

Usually these relationships are formed with the president of the local bank, by having significant deposits at that bank or other old school ways (golf course, etc).

Pay an agent to swing by house to check on it. 

have often contemplated RE investing as side career (rehab - love love love fixing up my house and swinging a hammer!)