One of the important things to learn is you local market, You do that by looking at and evaluating lots of deals.

Can any of you help in evaluating 20 acres (2-10 acre parcels) in Malibu!

I feel very good about what they're doing and how they have helped me evaluate the areas. 

Thanks for the evaluable input!

or the evaluation of the property's worth?

Underwriters are humans that evaluate risk for a living, and recognize that huge distinction. 

The lender is making an evaluation as to income and assets on the Borrowers on the loan (not the title holders), of which you are one, and of course would remain one.

There are enough great agents out there, you don't need to waste your day on the bad ones.Now to address some of your questions,1a) Evaluate how large your debt-to-income ratio is.

So how do you get that knowledge. 1) reading here; there are many threads on the 50% rule, the 2% rule, the 70% minus repairs rule etc.2) Read thread here where someone asks for help evaluating a deal. 3) Go look at properties and start to evaluate them.

Mike,Most people on this site factor in all units in situations like this to evaluate the deals potential despite the fact that you will be occupying one of the units .