The difference is just UW fees, better than paying a 20% increase at payoff to remove properties. 

That would be very beneficial.Also as it turns out the Durham meetup was a zoom call for members only so I did not get an invitation, before this Covid pandemic started the meetup was intended to be in person with non members paying a small fee to get in rather than a large fee to become an immediate member.

If they are charging you an upfront fee, they are more than likely not legitimate.

Most of my renters choose #1 because it provides a clean break.I document everything and I don't accept the early termination notice or start the clock until they pay the termination fee. 

As the great philosopher once said, "mo' money, mo' problems".I think the reduced leverage plan is a good choice to free up some DTI but obviously the extra fees on DSCR could start to add up a little.

Find anyone really to sign a quit claim or make them up, have it notarized (the notary's name is not on the GA notary list by the way), and then buy a property for $90k, you take a $8k hit on the fees, then you get back the overage paid to you by the city. 

It is common for PMs to stick fees into paragraphs throughout the agreement, this is another red flag.

I just got quoted $160000 for a four unit plus in law in Brookfield including permit and all related fees. for an extra $3500 I can add two EV chargers, but will receive a $16,000 credit from ComEd.

In the Pace Morby parlance I have come to learn that the gap funding or equity component is called and ET or "Entry Fee"..

And I generally require a sponsor that has full real estate cycle experience with little to no money lost, low leverage, high skin in the game and reasonable fees and promotes.However, other investors will look at these deals as bad/too boring for them because they are more aggressive and not concerned about the risks of default, refinance, interest rates changing etc.