If the seller is carrying back financing, typically that kills any chance of negotiating a lower price.

If you're still under 25% you'd payback at that lower rate, so the article is incorrect.

A 20% Deposit would lower the mortgage payment and eliminate the PMI requirement.With the low income and high mortgage payments it makes it a no deal.Maybe it’s a good deal for your Realtor (commission $$$$).

@Andrew Davis,You can either look outside of your area,  say within a hour or so driving distance... do out of state, or look in the lower income areas, and check out the streets and find a good house on a quiet street!   

When you convert a property to investment you use the lower of purchase price or the FMV at conversion.  

Lower acquisition costs 2.

You could use the proceeds to acquire properties out of state at a lower price point that will give you some better cash flow.

I have found getting tax values lowered tends to require a big fight, and they don't like doing it outside of their assessed year. 

I run about a ~45% or lower expense ratio, once you have a few properties it's easier because you'll have real world figures to apply.

I would imagine that due to the increasing (my opinion) competition among RE agents in JC it may lower the overall fee that's usually charged..