Servicers don't typically just stop impounding for taxes and insurance, if they have impounded in the past.

You can start real estate investing, reading resources, familiarizing yourself with the Albany, GA market, setting short-term and long-term goals, preparing financially, building a team, conducting property searches, conducting due diligence, making an offer, managing property, and joining local groups.

You can typically only get one FHA loan, wouldn't it make more sense for you each to get your own loan and own property?

You can also possibly rent it as is separately for another $150-$200/month especially if your comps do not offer garages.

I'm open to any advice that anyone here has to offer. have a great weekend everyone

Investing with foreknowledge that property values are falling seems like a timing problem or at least a situation where my offer would be reduced to reflect this coming change.As to how much to put in as a down payment that depends more on your numbers, your risk tolerance, ability to get financing, cost of financing, etc. 

I've been interested in REI for a year or so, and am only just now finding out about the BP community and all of the resources it has to offer new investors.

You said they have half the funds though so you are offering 50% leverage or are you offering 50% of the total project cost?

If you examine all of these questions, which we all read every day, there are a couple of apparent things missing that make them impossible to answer:1. skin in the game2. research done before posting3. why the poster is asking (background)4. camaraderie (just give me what I want, I have nothing to offer)

Totally depends on who typically manages transactions in your state.