Paying for points in current climate

[Jason H.]

This may be a simple question but curious in today’s climate of rising interest rates (mid-2018) , does it make sense for long term buy and hold investors to pay for points to buy down the interest rate or keep the cash on hand instead for additional properties.  I’m talking about anywhere in the point range of 1 to 3pts, bringing the rate down anywhere between 5.25% to 4.75% respectively (investment property mortgages).  I’ve heard opinions from both sides, but wouldn’t mind additional feedback in light of current increasing interest rate environment.