These are the details about our house.Purchase price: $855,000Current approx value: 1,100,000Current monthly mortgage payment: $3100 /monthProperty taxes ~ $11,500 /yrRents in the area for a similar house: $3200 - $3400Given the numbers, I understand that this would not qualify as a good rental property but given the crazy real estate market in the bay area we are worried we would not be able to purchase again should the market appreciate at the rate it has been in the past if we sell this house now and live in an apartment for a few years.

At end of day we got our all money back with HELOC, have a mortgage payment of $623 on property, collect $1450 a month of rent, and have minimal expenses on property. 

However any house will cash flow with a large enough payment.

That's spending twice as much for an extra $250 that you don't get because your loan payment absorbs the extra rent spending twice as much. 

I initially hoped to ask the seller for a credit to fix however I am hearing that the amt of credit you can ask the seller is limited by the closings costs amount (in my case max it will be $12K) so I am not sure what to do.I am aware of the 203K option, but I am not sure I want to go that route as I am comfortable with my plans for down payment and monthly expenses currently. 

I am aware of the 203K option, but I am not sure I want to go that route as I am comfortable with my plans for down payment and monthly expenses currently.

Abstract fees (abstract of title fees).Charges for installing utility services.Legal fees (including title search and preparationof the sales contract and deed).Recording fees.Surveys.Transfer taxes.Owner's title insurance.Any amounts the seller owes that you agree to pay, such as back taxes or interest,recording or mortgage fees,charges for improvements or repairs,and sales commissions.Settlement costs do not include amounts placed in escrow for the future payment of items such as taxes and insurance.3) if there were other costs incurred to acquire the house such as if you spend money for tax advice, tickets to fly to look at the house( or milage)  and such also gets added to the basisGood luck

I bought a triplex in 5/18 and now I'm buying another SFR, in a different area, and expect to close on it in 8/18.So far, I've been using my cash for the down payments.

(Sold a business and have high income this year)  We agreed on: 5% P&I, 10Y Balloon, and 25y Amort.My Questions is: What if I suggest to him that we do SAME Amount of PAYMENTS BUT principle reduction payments and Not have interest component. this way i pay the property off faster.

We were looking at using $40k to buy the first house (down payment, closing, repairs, etc).