In practice it was a bit of a nightmare b/c Wells charges a monthly service fee which can be side stepped if you transfer $100 back and forth between the associated savings and checking each month Wells set up the accounts and messed up the auto transfer ... money wasn't transferring and they were debiting monthly fees, etc.

In fact, check out BWMA (Bi-Weekly Mortgage Association) if your lender will not accept bi-weekly payments.

I obtained my real estate sales associate license at 18, then broker's license at 20, then my mortgage broker's at 21.  

CalculationThe main calculation itself is pretty straight forward:Buy-out Cost = 0.5*(FMV-Mortgage)This would take into consideration any built-up equity over time.FMV would be determined from 1 or 2 appraisals OR how much similar units are selling for (if it's a condo being sold).Costs Associated with SellingFor a portion of the cost associated with selling the property (Legal/Bank Fees/Realtor Fees), I've tried to search around and gathered the following FOR/AGAINST arguments for including such fees:FOR including the fees:There should be a 'penalty' for pulling out of a long-term partnership.If the surviving partner sells at some point, he takes the whole portion of the cost himself.AGAINST including the fees:The surviving partner has the option to conduct a For Sale By Owner, or use services such as ComFree, in which case no major realtor percentage fee would be paid.The surviving partner may choose to never sell.The surviving partner would still have a cash-flowing asset that is likely to appreciate.Based off these arguments, I think what might be fair is the normal Buy-out Cost calculation, minus a nominal percentage.

I want to borrow $75,000, and they are charging me fees associated with double that amount.  

There certainly is the potential to get caught if you don't fully understand all the costs associated with the process

I would say that it feels like there is risk associated on "betting" the value of the house and rents will continue to rise in the DC area.

@Linda M.Your basis is all the cost that is associated with acquiring the property.

Do not like the drama associated with meeting in person or mailing rent to a PO box.  

I'm not trying to force but to use mediation as the first medium to try to resolve any issues.I took the verbiage from the California Association of Realtors Residential Lease agreement (CAR) and edited to make some changes.