If a private lender would feel comfortable to lend to you then expect a rate of 10% or so.  

If you are looking to house hack at a certain price point and don't like the neighborhoods where the opportunities are, that tells you that your price point is not yet high enough for your comfort level.

What could you do to get out of your comfort zone?

Once you are comfortable and have enough for the downpayment and sufficient reserves, get started! 

My bank told me the rates they can offer are holding steady, but given the current environment we're all experiencing the rates are bound to change.If you're trying to ReFi from a 4.5% to a 4.0% don't waste your time.

Determine how much you're comfortable spending before it's not worth chasing anymore. 

My husband and I would love to take over their mortgage payment to take over this burden for them, while they still live comfortably in the home.

You have absolutely nothing to lose and everything to gain by pushing yourself out of your comfort zone.Good luck!

I'm somewhat new to real estate investing myself in the sense that i have not yet done my first deal but because of all the knowledge i have gained from BP, blogs, podcasts and articles I know a lot more than I expected myself to know at this point.I had similar questions like the ones you listed because although i've lived on land the whole time, i never had the need to ask for the cost of lawn care, flood insurance, garbage removal etc.I learned that the water, sewage and garbage bill in my area was packaged together and i learned that here on Bigger Pockets, from the comfort of my computer.Of course, you'd be encouraged to get out and start looking at homes in person but Bigger Pockets definitely helps you get setup for all you want to accomplish in Real Estate!

Glad I can help, @Todd Rasmussen is not wrong either. just depends on what your comfortable with and what you can manage.