I just want to make sure that by law it is totally fine, if they cannot claim that they still live there and the only way to lock out would be through court thank you

Also rates have been dropping so the rates may be a bit better than you think and I'd consider locking it in now if things make sense.

BUT - with that, you want to get started - which makes it tough.Here’s something you might not have thought about… if you cash out refi your property your county tax assessor will quite possibly treat the refi as a sale of the property - which will trigger a re-evaluation of the taxes on your property to the higher value of the new loan… even though you didn’t transfer the property to anyone.  

Find and lock up deals, EVERYTHING else will take care of itself Good Luck

Because once you sign a buyers representation agreement with that realtor you're locked into it until it expires or their broker releases you. 

But it is the sale of an asset the triggers the tax. 

Cost of capital is more of a concern than it has been especially for short term investments with an exit strategy in the near future.It squeezes your cashflow and future property value if you can't offset it with a better initial purchase price or higher future rents.Your underwriting now has to factor rates being elevated and also factoring some cushion if they go higher before you lock your rate.Bottom line, make sure the deal cashflows strongly.Another factor to think about is property taxes.

However my interest rate lock period is until early December.

Sounds like the advice is to lock up the capital in the form of down payments and wait and play the long game.

Was able to take advantage of low interest rates and lock in favorable 30 year conventional loans.