The city zoning has the home listed as single family, but the previous owner added in a second meter for the basement it looks like.It would be advantageous for me to have it appraised and classified as single family since it will me a lower down payment, but the lender has indicated he thinks the appraiser will say it’s multi since the basement has a kitchen.I’m unfamiliar with the specifics on this situation.

It's been 2 weeks and the kind of applications we are getting are far from ideal...bad credit scores, delinquencies, hard to figure out how much do they make (meaning self employed in some cases) are some of the issues that made me reject 4 applications so far.My property manager (who helped me buy the house) has posted the ad on all relevant websites, we have priced it at the lower end of the range at which similar homes are listed in the area, but still not happy with the applications.I would be interested to hear what folks, knowledgeable about the Austin market, think...is there more that we can do?

I'm not certain if this is universal to all Al coatings.You can also use a light/white acrylic coating - or a silicone-based coating -  to increase the reflectivity of the roof while adding an additional layer of protection/waterproofing.

I think I am better adding to my seed money through notes or organizing lease options than flipping.

People who actually do succeed with sandwich leases and such like are not people who need to make extra money at seminars from people who have no savings and not much income.

Think about a full time doctor, tons of money and zero extra time. 

If you believe you need the extra level of  psychological protection spend the extra money and sleep better at night. 

On the surface, getting an extra 2brs for $20k seems like a winner.  

My parents can bid on the house themselves, but that requires coming up with $500K in cash, which (the attorney indicated), added to their court judgment for $200K, would give them the buying power to bid up to $700K.Questions:On #1: What do we go about researching the likelihood, based on historical trends, that the house would auction for less than 700K, or 70% of market value? 

You'll have to pay for them in cash at closing, and then the escrow amount will be added to the payment, but kept separate from the mortgage.