If you're looking to househack again, then the conventional 5% down is a very viable alternative to the 3.5% down FHA option. 

Alternatively, you could split it between House 2 and 3 in a way that covers your building budget for the apartment.

If the rental income doesn’t sufficiently cover the debt payments by their standards, they’ll limit the loan amount, even if the property is worth more.You could try a few alternatives:•Look for lenders who specialize in commercial real estate and have more flexible DSCR requirements.

Alternatively, your sibling might use a 1031 exchange to defer taxes by reinvesting in like-kind properties, though this doesn't directly fund a primary residence.Other ideas include leveraging a HELOC on the rental properties for the down payment, taking out a 401(k) loan, structuring an owner-financed agreement, or a lease-to-own arrangement.

Alternatively, DSCR loans offer long-term financing with lower rates, but they come with more complex requirements.

If you added in the cash you should have to protect against contingencies, the actual return goes down (or the risk sykrockets, your choice)- If the $300K properties cashflow, definitely a better bet. 

Remember when land buyers pick a target, they have TONS of work to do getting that property from dirt to payday, so they know their purchase choices, and they have a war chest usually stacked up ready to go.

It's important to consult with an attorney or an accountant to determine whether an LLC is the right choice for your specific situation.You can reach out to me and my team who can guide you through the process and help you navigate any challenges that may arise.

.- If interest rates remain high, this is further upward pressure on rents in the near-term, as the alternative to renting - buying a home with a mortgage, is expensive - this should increase demand for rentals. - Rents are also a function of supply - 2024 saw the most new construction of multifamily units in American history (nearly 575,000 estimated 2024 deliveries of new multifamily inventory), and 2025, while not a record setting year, will see deliveries top 500,000 again - a huge supply increase. 

It is a career choice. 2.