It gives me another exit strategy by having the option to sell off individual properties to retail buyers if needed.

If you have a 10% interest rate on a car loan, then paying that off would give you a risk free 10% rate of return.  

Your screening is limited to ONLY what RentRedi thinks should be part of the screening process, and rent payments...well, you will be reported to the IRS for the fees RentRedi charges..and RentRedi will not give you their W9 to write those off as an expense.

Currently our favorite idea is a SFH we can convert to an up down duplex by sealing off a staircase with an ADU on the property for us to live in.

Even then, you're better off with a Canadian mentor focused on buying in he US.

One of the most successful investors that I know in my area told me that his business really didn’t take off until year 10.

Would the 9-year balloon concern you, knowing you'd need to refinance or pay off the balance at potentially higher market rates in the future?

However, you need the temperament/skills to pull it off.

In addtion when the net investment property is ready or on the ARV you can do the same thing pull cash out and pay off the original amount and use the rest for another down payment.

Playing around with my Excel spreadsheet and got to thinking about selling my rental property in the next few months vs waiting until it's paid off in Jun 2027.