The big questions is how much I will need to put on rehab for this property.

It shouldn't be an issue to put title on both properties, unless you want to maximize liability protection and create another LLC

After being told there would be no pressure, on the second Zoom call she told us we had to sign up then by paying the $8K fee or risk losing a "$2K discount" and paying $10K later.

I pride myself on the network of referrals I have built, and unfortunately I have yet to find a reputable property management company that I am willing to put my name on as a referral.Thanks for taking the time to read my bio. 

Its all a calculated risk.

So, if you 1031 into an asset worth $700K or more to fully defer taxes, you'll have around $240K or so to put down (there are fees and deductions so these numbers are general). 

The skills you learn doing this will pay you actual money but also come in super handy anytime you negotiate with anyone, have to put effort into getting a tough deal to close, real estate terminology, contracts, and so on.Good luck with your journey. 

My concern is that I am putting myself in danger of being uninsurable moving forward if I go that route.

These were largely sourced pre-CV19, so eat the fish and spit out the bones.The DTI percentage range varies by lender, and is less than what you will find for an owner occupied property, due to lender risk.

In order for me, the seller, to assume the risk of you not qualifying for the loan, you losing your job at the last minute, you changing your mind, etc, I'd want a higher offer price - which means you're bringing even more money to the table.The idea of an assumable loan is awesome, but frequently does not pan out.