Best wishes for your success Scott 

A conventional mortgage is simply the best you can get. 

.📋 Required Items for Single-Family Rentals Include: 🔐 Keyless deadbolts on all exterior doors 🪟 Window locks on all accessible windows 🚪 Peephole or viewer on front door 🧯 Smoke alarms in every bedroom, hallway, and on each level 🛠️ Timely repairs of conditions affecting health/safety📌 These aren’t just best practices — they’re legally required to avoid liability and ensure habitability.

Are the rates lower on Freddie small balance loans?

It is by far one of the best ways to start building wealth for as little down as possible, if you can make it work financially to hang onto your current home, rent it out, and move into a 2-4 family multi unit, that to me gets you into a great position for long term wealth building.  

I would call many insurance companies or brokers and get the best rate.

Mortgage rates are driven by bond yields, inflation, economic data, and investor sentiment, not just the Fed.

I ask because inherited homes usually have a $15-20k/yr tax difference vs current market rates, so just checking if that is similar situation for you.  

Holding off on deals until rates shift again?

When researching crime rates by city or neighborhood, there are a few key online resources that stand out for their reliability, depth, and user-friendliness.