For example:A quadruplex at $500,000 with 0% down and an interest rate of 5.75% with property taxes of 0.6%, $4,000/year in home insurance and $5,000/year in repairs will have a total out of pocket of $3,980.60/month.

So, this is putting him in the position to have to look at the possibility of doing a 1031 exchange on the 2.5 - 3.0 million that would otherwise be taxed at capital gain rates (he wants to avoid paying Uncle Sam at all costs).

I put Branson because that is what I am near, but I am interested in lots of areas, mainly Florida.Are rates really so bad right now that a first time STR buyer with 20% Down should not even try? 

First I would go to the Building Dept and see if the existing garage is allowed to be converted.

Really apologize if this is a stupid question, but I’m new to RE investing so I hope to get some help with this basic question. i recently went into contract for my first rental property out of state (PA).

The market is funky and condos are usually the first to show signs of weakness.

Owners mistakenly ASSUME all PMCs offer the exact SAME SERVICES and PERFORM those services EXACTLY THE SAME WAY, so price is the only differentiator – so, they often select the first PMC they call or that calls them back!

Your only chance is if they are SUPER desperate, you’ll get closing help and rate buy down.

It’s called “flat rate” billing.

With current interest rates, it is going to be harder to find places where the numbers work and in some areas even with low interest rates, cash flow isn't possible.