I strongly prefer as little competition as humanly possible. 

A fourplex is my vote because there is less competition due to the higher price point and barrier to entry.

Assessing the current market conditions and property values in your area can provide a clearer picture.Current Market Dynamics: Consider other factors like inventory levels, the competitiveness of the market, and personal circumstances.

Purchase price: $140,000 Cash invested: $20,000 This was my first home that I purchased back in 2021 when interest rates were still low and competitive.

Hi James,Yes, there are still hard money lenders that offer gap loans with straightforward underwriting and competitive origination fees, but they are becoming harder to find.

Newer building has seen huge increases in insurance in the past years because of the collapse of the Champlain Towers and hurricanes, but that is over and there is more competition now in the market: I have already seen the cost of insurance going down -8% in the negotiation for 2025 in one building where I sit in the HOA. 

You should also research your competition and see what people are gravitating too.

I assume you are referring to 3.5% and 5% down,Well the 96.5% LTV FHA Product is great, it typically offers more competitive rates than the 95% LTV Conventional product.However there are stricter requirements on the property for an FHA product.Speak with a broker who knows what they are doing and they will point you in the right direction.Neither of these products will qualify for 5+ Units however, stick to 1-4 units.

Values at least in our market were quite sticky and on top of that our competition when rates sky rocketed de engineered their houses to get their prices down. 

This is particularly important in competitive markets where speed can be a key factor.Risk Management: While there is certainly risk with any form of financing, careful management and choosing the right lender can mitigate these risks.