Having a Pre-approval letter or better yet a loan commitment and a Banker to call and reassure the sellers agent you can close in 30 days or less also offers a huge advantage.In this market using a DPA is not a bad idea since rates are high and when they drop you simply refinance for a lower rate and payment. 

It's best to scope out your options and talk to multiple sources. 

Let’s call the interest rate 7%.  

@Chris MeyerContinental Title Company (314) 752-3401They are the absolute best 100%

I would think meeting somewhere in the middle would be the best option for all parties.

Single-family homes offer reliable rental demand, lower turnover rates, and the ability to benefit from property appreciation over time.

Which city would be the best investment for 2024 among Little Rock, AR, Atlanta, GA, and Nashville, TN for a buy-and-hold strategy aimed at long-term appreciation?

I do not have one year of rental history and working with my lender who also has a large portfolio says my rate would be high without that first year of rental history. 

The “effective rate in the amortization schedule starts to balance out”This is a misunderstanding of time value of money and amortization.  

In my opinion, it's THE best rental to hold in a landlord/investor perspective, AND it is the most complex and detailed to start into.