The lender will take lower middle score on application even though your fiancé has higher score. 

It would seem it should be lower.  

So do we sell now when prices are high, figuring that we can buy back in later at lower prices?

I think lower than 49-50th St is quite nice.

More units do lower your risk and will help you achieve economies of scale sooner.

Not to mention the rent is much lower then suggested for the area. ($1350 when the suggested rent for the area is $1700) However it’s been 2 days and I haven’t had even a nibble on the property.

  - So if you need to get another loan having a LOWER payment held against you will help you qualify easier. 

Bryan,Here are the 3 main options to consider:1) Custodial self-directed IRA, lower upfront cost but watch out for transaction and asset based fees, have to go through custodian for every transaction, might be inconvenient for certain investments. 2) Checkbook IRA (aka Checkbook IRA), eliminate transaction fees, higher upfront cost because of special purpose LLC, but long term will provide savings and most importantly a convenience of having checkbook control over your retirement assets. 3) Truly self-directed Solo 401k, requires self-employment activity or small business, the best option if you qualify.

I have rentals class C to C+ rentals, holding out for a 650 fico would often mean more vacancy and lower rent, so I elect to be more flexible, and probably take on greater loss risks than you do.

I would never do that in the lower 48 but where you are it's probably more acceptable.