If you know how to run discounted cash flows or enjoy more complex math then maybe a commercial focus should be your niche.

Their math has to make sense.

But I guess that comes with more experience and understanding that spreadsheet math should always be conservative to avoid any downturn effects. 

Best of luck You don't really understand the math behind it clearly...when you buy during a dip and exchange 1 property for 2, despite all 3 properties having gone down in value, you are coming out way ahead buying two discounted properties. 

Deals that only need minimal rehab seem a little harder to come by in the area I'm looking to start in (Worcester, MA). The

Check your math first and then get a quote for the garage door repair.  

It's all math, and Not Everybody is good at math.

What are some recommendations for things like terms and the math behind deals etc.

If you did the math right, that first rental should have helped your DTI from what I know!

Doing the math in my head (never a good idea) I think I made about a 30% annualized return (or a 15% one-time return).