Student loan payments have crippled my ability to save, which also limits my options. 

- Does the IRA provider have the capability to handle my IRA if it wants to extend a line of  credit?

In that way, you have the ability to generate real estate returns that are tax-deferred or tax free depending on the account type that you use.

He also stated that the charge to handle the exchange is a flat fee of $850, which I didn't think was too bad.

The way I calculate it is I do not count it but do count some charges for when it is vacant.

Do you have a brand presence to show credibility and ability to follow close?

Legally, you can charge $2,200 right away if that's what is in the lease.

Otherwise, you'll need at least 20% down (typically 25-30% down but some local lenders will only require 20%), but to @Mark Bookhagen's point you'll want to call around to a few local banks / credit unions and see what they would want to see from you and what they would typically charge for origination fees etc. 

If I buy a house for $55k, it needs $25k in reno, I'll throw BOTH the $55k on as the Contract Sales Price and the $25k to cover the quote from my contractor for the entire reno budget on as Settlement Charges to Buyer, bringing the Gross Amount Due from Buyer to $80k.

However, it's not unbearable for next tenant, but I wonder how much you would charge the tenant for the repair.