Also she has 3 kids so in my mind, keeping a roof over their heads and paying rent on time every month would be her first priority!

It's getting to the season where kids are starting to look. 

You could also pretend someone on the HOA board is requesting you deal with it before sending a violation notice, but then you have no recourse if they don't listen.

Might be difficult for me to get up to NH for one of the meet-ups (kids, city job, etc.), but maybe we can grab coffee here in town.

Then the condo association would also have to be on board.

Based on the following assumptions: You can afford the monthly PITI There is a fat $ cushion The renovations are all above board The comps show that there is a large upside delta between your purchase price and market pricesYou have good creditYou have a large 6 figure amount of cash for a down paymentIn my personal case, I would actually offer a higher interest rate for a lower down payment.

I'm just an average joe investor compared to many on this site, but I'm an active husband, active father of 4 kids (all 7 and under), active community member, and still work a demanding performance-based full-time W2 job outside of scaling my real estate investments to where they are today. 

Dave - You're not kidding when you say "murky".

It's great to have your wife on board with you. 

(The GF is not on board with moving every year...decorating)Based on the houses I am looking at, I will save at least 1k/month on rent because my GF will be moving with me.