Buy first rental all cash or buy multiple through financing

[Brock Rule]

My wife and I are ready to purchase 1 or more rental properties in our area. 

We can buy the rental with all cash but are also wondering if its smarter to finance 2+ homes (but we worry about high mortgage rates) and use our money as down payments. 

Any advice is appreciated!

[Jack Mawer]

I would say it depends on how much extra cash reserves you would have if you paid all cash for one property. If plenty, that may be the route to go due to high rates. On the flip side, using other people's money to scale and acquire multiple properties while holding onto more reserves is not a bad idea - especially if those homes are in high appreciation markets - you can always refinance when rates come down.