When you go to sell, Montvale requires a certificate of occupancy so this issue has to be resolved in advance of a sale.Although I am not a lender, I assume you will not be approved for an owner-occupied mortgage on 5-units if it is a legal 4-unit without some type of mortgage fraud whether in reported rents, units, or another legal document or representation (very very large issue from a legal perspective with multiple arrests in the last year for anyone playing fast and loose).As far as the DCA, I would recommend coordinating your work with the city with the DCA.

If it's because the property is cheaper out that way it's not a good reason.

Doing a 75% 1st mortgage and 15% heloc or heloan would likely give you better cost of funds all around.If this is an investment property, you can do 80% cash out refi using NonQM loans such as DSCR loans, but at a higher cost/rate than if you stick with 75% loan to value. 

Starting with small multifamily properties 2-4 units is a solid move, plus if one unit is vacant, the other can help cover the mortgage.

Over time I have amassed a good quantity of houses with no mortgages.

🏡 Real Estate Market Report (Single-Family Homes)📊 Mortgage Rates:30-Year Conventional: 7.10%30-Year VA: 6.45%💰 Median Sales Price:October: $485,000November: $484,995December: $484,500📈 New Listings:October: 1,959November: 1,498December: 1,175📅 Median Days on Market:October: 22 daysNovember: 24 daysDecember: 29 days📦 Months Supply of Inventory:October: 3.3 monthsNovember: 3.2 monthsDecember: 2.7 months🤔 What Does "Months Supply of Inventory" Mean?

pays your mortgage while you make Cash-Flow on those properties that you have under your name that pays you a higher ROI every Year.

Adding the current mortgage and utilities would be roughly $1,350 resulting in a profit of $650/mo.

Hi,As someone that moved from CT to SC, I will tell you property taxes here are very low, you would feel the same coming from NY. the 4% for primary and 6% for a rental, at least in Charleston County where I live, is not 50% more it is really x3 more , but still low compared to NY, so while others from SC may see it as high, you may feel it is a bargain.Not only that, being a landlord here is much easier, you actually have rights on your property, which is not really the case in NY/CT.I read your mortgage rates are in the 4's, expect to pay in the 8's right now, so unless your plan to pay cash, which, I personally am not sure I would do for an investment, many reasons for that, it is going to be very difficult to make money. if you are looking for appreciation rather than income, it may make sense.Hope this viewpoint from someone that moved a few years ago from similar place is helpful. 

Thanks for the heads up, I’ll call the mortgage companies.