Thanks for having me, Noah! I appreciate the opportunity to share my story!

Hi there! It sounds like a lot, however the down payment assistance and closing cost assistance in this case did not have a monthly payment required. Instead they have a balloon payment that is paid in one lump sum when you refinance the loan or sell the home. In our case, we paid off both the down payment assistance and closing cost assistance when we refinanced. This isn't always going to be the best option, however it ended up being the option that helped us achieve our specific goals. Usually, most states will have a first time homebuyer program that offers similar types of loans.

Hi There! With a lower down payment, the monthly mortgage is higher, however both scenarios left us with more cash on hand. When I'm helping clients determine what might fit their goals the best, I ask what their highest value is when purchasing the property. Is the highest value the lowest monthly payment possible, or is it having more cash available after closing? There isn't a right or wrong answer. Everyone's situation is different so finding the one that works best for you is key.

Hi There! You're right that it's harder to cash flow right now with interest rates where they are and appreciation now compared to a couple years ago. However, if you're able to find a property where you can force appreciation by improving the property, as we did in our first home, this can set the property up for success now and later. We didn't end up going this route with our second home purchase. The home we recently purchased will most likely take longer to appreciate and our plan is to stay in it longer, so we weren't specifically looking for something under market value this time.

you can literally google any mortgage calculator at 8% and see what a joke this video is (and compare to any nearby rental rates)