Building your own underwriting model forces you to understand what’s actually driving the deal and lets you stress-test different operating scenarios.

More work, more time, more stress BUT more money! 

Of course there were additional upfront costs to furnish the property and make upgrades / repairs.We also use the property ourselves intermittently, which decreases profitability.  

It's high-stress and has many, many moving parts that must go perfectly right (contractors, lenders, appraisers).A more traditional "Small and Mighty" first step (and one Chad Carson often highlights) is a traditional Buy & Hold, or for you, House Hacking is a great start.My main advice: This path with the hard money lender can work, but it's a "swing for the fences" first deal.I hope your meeting went well!

Increasing your limit will in turn improve your utilization assuming you aren't spending more I usually apply for a new card every 6 months or so - sure you take a hard inquiry (falls off after 2 years, if I remember right) but the increase in credit limit and automatic decrease in utilization actually results in an improvement in my credit score 

On your deal analysis, do stress tests. 

I’d also add that your early days as a first time buyer are a bit stressful because you don’t know who to call for various issues that may pop up with the property.

Or continue this course where you are stressing over this.

On underwriting, a few things I wish more first-time buyers focused on: assume conservative rents, not “top of market,” and stress test the deal with one unit vacant or underperforming.

Kevin, I do not see many stress testing their DSCR deals.