If so, what do you know of going that route AND eating the penalty/fine for breaking my current lease (I think it's about ~1,700 and ends Sept. 31 '14; and who knows, I can probably get that lower, somehow) at my apartment (it's a pretty big complex FWIW)?

Personally as long as the Church signed as a co-signer than I would be fine with it.

Also, any unpaid code violations fines might also be imposed to the new owner.

I was having a conversation with a fine lady who I've known for many years and when the topic of HOAs cropped up, she actually swore!

There is a demand for rentals in the area so I hope to have minimal carrying costs.Right now I am trying to focus on that fine line of having it nice enough but not spending too much.

This post pretty much has been a catalyst for some changes I've recently made:http://affordanything.com/2013/10/24/one-critical-thing-holding-back/Take a deep breath and you'll be fine.

My wife is back in Indy and my house is fine :) She told me it was not cold inside the house.

Different banks have different requirements but as long as your backend DTI is below 45-50% you are fine.

It's only Fannie and Freddie who impose that.

If that's want you want and plan accordingly, fine.