Now, there are a handful of lenders who offer lower rates, but again, be mindful there is something within that loan to offset the lower rate such as increased points, lower leverage, draw process dictation, as-is caps, and so on..Try to refrain from “shopping” after your first deal.

If the property doesn't cashflow as is, that amount needs to be increased to cover operations and debt until the property becomes self reliant. 

@Leah ShankerI'd have to read the CC&R's and bylaws of the HOA before saying what is paid for in the event of such a calamity like flooding.Like any other business, the increased cost of doing business is always passed to the consumer.

Obviously this would increase the appraisal, but I am wondering how much?

Do you need cashflow now or you looking for this more down the road as properties appreciate and increase in value.If you are not needing cashflow now and it's more an appreciation play of having when you retire then you have one strategy.

I haven't had any issue on getting significant value increases on places I've done work on (Best case was $35k to $148k in 9 months) because the work was easily quantifiable, taking a income-producing property from making nothing to something in a very short time frame.If the Reynoldsburg marketplace places value on green upgrades, then you'll be fine, however if the marketplace in that area doesn't put value on the upgrades you've performed it might be difficult. 

I can potentially get it for $130,000 and put 12-15k in it to increase the value 10%.

I think that house hacking in the area is 100% a great idea even if it doesn't cover your costs completely and will work out way better than renting in the long run unless you have some random great rental deal (that seems to happen from time to time in Boston where you have an old school landlord who doesn't realize that rents have drastically increased) You need to live somewhere. 

I do not know the typical rent/value ratio in JC, however I do know that it had one of the top 10 highest average rent increases of any city in the country for 2018.

This would mean not being able to claim depreciation, interest, etc.Alternatively, if you and your husband owned the property out-right, then this wouldn't be an issue.However, if it is done this way, your brother won't qualify for section 121 exclusion if the event the property increases in value significantly.Again, a lot of moving pieces.