Equally important - would this return be greater than your other alternatives, such as the equities market, private lending, investing in a private fund, etc, once you account for the work and risk?

I'm not as plugged into primary rates (vs. investor/DSCR) but there are a lot of HELOC / Closed End Seconds out there that are becoming very popular alternatives (especially if you already have a low rate mortgage) instead of full cash-out refinances and jacking up rate on all the debt

If not, ask your lender what it would take to move forward with an investment property loan in case that’s the way you’d need to go, then find alternative lodging until one is vacant.

That said, this alternative to traditional financing is typically more expensive and requires repayment or refinancing into a traditional loan in as little as five years.

Alternatively, I could use money I have saved in my Roth 401 K to pay it off, tax free.

To say cheaper alternative to expensive programs is the same as there is cheaper alternative to a bachelor's degree both is true

It might be a combination of stocks, bonds, mutual funds and alternative assets.  

If, for nothing else, the more financial strategies you have at your disposal, the more likely you will be to use one to land your next deal.Subject to strategies are an alternative to traditional financing, which could come in handy when the right situation presents itself.

Look into other options, including house hacking, as alternative ways to get started in Real Estate.All the best to you on your journey!

There are pros and cons to both approaches, so I would love some input here :) Alternatively, if this doesn't seem like a good enough deal in general, please let me know what you think!