@Karen Schimpf Yes, I spoke to a local bank and you are correct about these terms. 15/15 or 5/20 is definitely not ideal to maximize cash flow.    

Selling in the dead of winter (in UT) is not ideal.

If you are trying to improve your score, then keep your installment loan going and open a credit card (which is considered revolving debt...which is rated differently on a credit report from installment debt) and keep very low balances (ideally under 30% of the card limit, but more ideal is under 10% of the limit.)Unfortunately in order to build credit, you need to show you are financially responsible to pay your bills over a long period of time - that's why it's a bad idea to pay the car off early even though it's the financially responsible thing to do.

Rather like these two prior comments and echo Robert's idea that maybe your ideal spot is an owner occupied multifamily (2-4 unit); and as Ricardo notes, the wholesalers I read about on BP seem to work quite actively.

Ideally I find an in demand location and manage to force some appreciation via rent increases.

Ideally I would really enjoy and appreciate if I could tag along to current projects and see the everyday duties of doing a flip or finding deals.

Ideally I am looking for a duplex to live in while renting out the other unit.

But if you're manage only a small number of units with ideal tenants these locks are the perfect solution for any home.

Buyer presents desired features of their ideal home.

Jonathan Dougherty , different lenders have different programs, but in general you will pay 2-4 points (2-4% upfront at closing) and a 10-14% interest rate for the entire amount borrowed.Construction financing is typically done via draws based on progress made.The goal should be to pay the HM loan off as soon as possible- ideally 4-6 months.