California's probate rules can be drastic in the event of death that having a proper estate plan in place can help in any number of situations, including if just traveling or incapacitated.These are all things you will want to discuss with your attorney and CPA.

As you suggest lowering down payment to buy more properties is one way, although the downside is greater risk in event of down cycle and more time to manage required.  

Stoked you're here.. are you leveraging any real estate meetups or local investor events yet?

We went to a group event for Narcotics Anonymous.

In your scenario you'd have a potential tax event on that $200K difference.Here's a creative way to access most of that money tax free however. 

When’s the next local event?

Quote from @Theodore Sutton: Check out the site meetup.com and also the events page on BP for meetings up in your area to meet people like this and build relationships.

hey hunter, best of luck on your journey. make sure to go to all networking events in the area and possibly even starting your own to start building footprint in the area.

I have a couple STR investors do this here in the winter months depending on the events coming to town

No but I attended their 3 day event that was $300.