@Chris Connolly yes. the calculator wont let me put zero.

The uniqueness of this transaction is in the fact that the property suffered a fire, and I collected insurance proceeds, but sold the house "as-is" after the fire, putting minimal money into the property from the insurance proceeds.Based on what I have read about taxes on rental homes, I'm nervous that I am going to be looking at a hefty tax bill.

DUH and eventually it wont happen in Italy.

Can I still borrow money for rental property to start or do I need to go more into wholesaling so I wont necessarily need money.

The uniqueness of this transaction is in the fact that the property suffered a fire, and I collected insurance proceeds, but sold the house "as-is" after the fire, putting minimal money into the property from the insurance proceeds.Based on what I have read about taxes on the sale of rental homes, I'm nervous that I am going to be looking at a hefty tax bill.

@Sam Shueh I wont get out of bed for $100/door not worth putting pants on for, my minimum is $200/door with 100% debt (for calculation purpose only) of purchase and rehab at currently 6% on a 15 year amortization, many of mine are far better, I also require a minimum 40% value increase after rehab so I can pull out the cost of rehab and purchase and only borrow 60% LTV  I buy 5-6 of those deals per year, I currently have 23 location all meet those parameters and most are better than my minimum. 

If they aren't happy then your STR reviews are probably going to suffer.

I wont take an application until the prospective tenant has seen the property.Interesting to hear others' strategies....

It's fine to want advice on this but in my mind it wont really resolve anything until the OP asks why her contractor needs that much down.

Hi Erik,Personally, I'd rather own the apartments than the Construction Business.I know the apartment industry, meaning less risk and I have absolutely zero passion about owning any type of business.Plus construction suffers from boom and bust.