@Nicolas EscobarI wouldn't let a calendar month influence when you purchase. 

At this stage everyone in your sphere of influence should know that you are a licensed real estate agent .

David has always been a big influence on my life with his unbend-able integrity and the determination he demonstrates on reaching his goals.

Are there factors within my control or specific to my situation that influence this, or is it purely based on lender policy?

Since I wasn't growing up here in the U.S. my sphere of influences is practically none, so my start is a little rough.

This also influences what I pay and spend on rehab, as well as if I refinance 70, 75 or 80 percent LTV. 

Most mortgage rates are more heavily influenced by their own market forces rather than the Federal Funds Rate. 

How much influence do the landlord/tenant laws of a state have on an investment strategy?

One of the reasons I like real estate is the local influence on prices that at least buffers some of the outside effects of recession & monetary policy.

Whichever tactic you use, make sure to do it daily as it may take 100 emails to get 1 person who may just speak to you about listing.Also continue marketing to your SOI (sphere of influence) so that whenever they think of real estate they think of you and hopefully refer you to others.