Buying one property for cash or buying several with leverage?

[Patrick Owens]

Good evening, BP.

I will have a one-time cash inflow from a land sale in the near future.

Once deposited, I will have a myriad of decisions on investment types.

My first question will be:  If I choose a single family home to rent, I can pay cash for one property and have a good cash flow with no P&I or I can use the money as a down payment on two or three properties (each with lower cash flow due to loan re-payment).

Which is the better option?

Thanks in advance for your advice.

[Rita Medeiros]

With interest rates still @ historic lowes, making money cheap, I like 15 or 30 yr fixed, utilizing leverage to buy several properties. Even when Feds raise rates this year, you are protected as long as your numbers are solid.