4 PLEX ---- HOME STEADING YOUR PLEX ? Or NOT ?

[Nicholas Moffett]

So I have a 4 plex Im getting serious with and I think my offer will go through.
I am in Florida, and this is going to be a real good property that is 1/4 mile from the beach

Heres the deal

$250K  - 50 cash 200 bank note - And I will be putting roughly 50 cash into it for repairs.
I can do a note at 3.5 for a personal loan and homestead it 
Or I can do a note at 4.5 as an investment property

I have never done a plex like this, and I have no other properties homesteaded or currently owned under my name, so I am wondering what the best idea is.  Should I take one of the units as my primary residence and homestead it and save the 1%, or should I do it as an investment, not homestead it, and go that route with a higher percentage.

With the personal note, I will have to use 1 of the units as my primary residence for 12 months, so I lose out on the rent for 12 months which would be $800X12months but I can homestead and do the 3.5  Or would it be better if I did an investor deal at 4.5% and got to make the extra 800 for the first year from the unit I wont be living in.

What is the best overall plan ? Or would a REIT/TRUST or something like that be better. Im going to consult with a RE attorney b4 closing, but this is a preliminary.