Still trying to pay down debt & get some cash for leverage & quick sales, which seems like it is taking way too long.

I'm looking into buying the first investment property, and it seems like the only thing I can afford at the moment is properties from a low-income neighborhood without putting me into significant financial risk. 

Offering to release them at any time and give them prorated rent back, gives them financial incentive.

HI Michael,the answer to all 3 is yes. since the properties are so close, one or the other would have to be a an Investment property. since this is your plan of action underwriting should have no issues as there is no means of mortgage fraud with what you plan to do. one thing you will want to keep in mind when qualifying for the new home is debt to income ratios, and having a renter with a signed lease agreement for your current primary lined up will off set the debt ratio helping you qualify with no troubles.let me know if you have anymore questions or want to speak privately! 

If you have a $100k property without debt and then pull out $75k by taking on a loan, then when you go to sell that property (assuming no change in value) then you would need to spend the $25k of equity and buy something for at least $100k - for most investors this is achieved by taking on equal or greater debt.    

Do they have any existing debt on the property?  

Consider her total debt to income ratio.  

I know that <5,000 sqft you do not)Legal: $3,500Other: $16,000 (Budget for unforeseen issues)Tap & Capacity Fees: $27,515 Building Permit Cost: $2,391.17 (estimated $706K total costs)Site Plan Review: $224.64 ($100 + $.015 p/ sqft)Wastewater Capacity Fee: $750 per unit x 8 = $6,000Water Capacity Fee: $750 per unit x 8 = $6,000Meters: $300 per x 8 = $2,400Water Tap Fees & Install: $300 per unit + 900 installation = $2,400 +900 = $3,300Wastewater Tap Fees & Install: $300 per unit + 800 installation = $3,200Facilities Tax: $4,000 - ($500 * 8 units, I am assuming this will change as I haven't asked solid numbers )Total Development Costs: $783,785 (8 units costing $94, 848 each, which I think is high)Proforma CF $ - Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 Year 5 Year 6 Year 7 Year 8 Income   Rental Income (Increase 2.5%/yr) 2.50% $ 79,200.00 $ 81,180.00 $ 83,209.50 $ 85,289.74 $ 87,421.98 $ 89,607.53 $ 91,847.72 $ 94,143.91 Vacancy (10% in Yr1) 5% $ 7,920.00 $ 4,059.00 $ 4,160.48 $ 4,264.49 $ 4,371.10 $ 4,480.38 $ 4,592.39 $ 4,707.20 Gross Income $ - $ 71,280.00 $ 77,121.00 $ 79,049.03 $ 81,025.25 $ 83,050.88 $ 85,127.15 $ 87,255.33 $ 89,436.72                   Expenses                   Real Estate Taxes $ - $ 9,000.00 $ 9,090.00 $ 9,180.90 $ 9,272.71 $ 9,365.44 $ 9,459.09 $ 9,553.68 $ 9,649.22 Insurance 2.50% $ 3,000.00 $ 3,075 $ 3,152 $ 3,231 $ 3,311 $ 3,394 $ 3,479 $ 3,566 Trash Collection ($250/unit) 1% $ 2,000.00 $ 2,020 $ 2,071 $ 2,122 $ 2,175 $ 2,230 $ 2,285 $ 2,343 Common Utilities 2.11% $ 2,400.00 $ 2,451 $ 2,512 $ 2,575 $ 2,639 $ 2,705 $ 2,773 $ 2,842 Management Fee (10%) 10% $ 7,920.00 $ 8,712 $ 8,930 $ 9,153 $ 9,382 $ 9,616 $ 9,857 $ 10,103 Repairs/Maintenance 3.00% $ 2,138.40 $ 2,313.63 $ 2,371.47 $ 2,430.76 $ 2,491.53 $ 2,553.81 $ 2,617.66 $ 2,683.10 Turnover/Redecorating 1% $ 2,000.00 $ 2,020 $ 2,071 $ 2,122 $ 2,175 $ 2,230 $ 2,285 $ 2,343 Snow Removal/Parking lot cleaning 2% $ 1,500.00 $ 1,530 $ 1,568 $ 1,607 $ 1,648 $ 1,689 $ 1,731 $ 1,774 Landscaping 2% $ 2,000.00 $ 2,040 $ 2,091 $ 2,143 $ 2,197 $ 2,252 $ 2,308 $ 2,366 Admin Fees 1% $ 1,200.00 $ 1,212 $ 1,242 $ 1,273 $ 1,305 $ 1,338 $ 1,371 $ 1,406 Total Expenses $ - $ 33,158 $ 34,463 $ 35,188 $ 35,930 $ 36,690 $ 37,466 $ 38,261 $ 39,074 Net Operating Income $ - $ 38,122 $ 42,658 $ 43,861 $ 45,095 $ 46,361 $ 47,661 $ 48,994 $ 50,362                 Property Value @ 8 CAP $ - $ 476,520 $ 533,223 $ 548,258 $ 563,686 $ 579,517 $ 595,761 $ 612,428 $ 629,530 Obviously, Once I account for my debt service (DS), say $758,000 @ 5.25% for 240 months ($5,108 p/ month), I am under water.Year 1 NI [$38,122] - DS [$61,296] = -$23,174 = Meaning I cannot do this project.......

@Kyle Gendron39-49 cent just for the stamp doesn't make financial sense.

I've never worked with, but had a good discussion with Jamie Tritz from American Financial Network.