For example, using 70-80% leverage could preserve your cash for more deals while maintaining strong returns.A blended approach might work: pay cash for smaller deals to avoid delays and borrow on more significant properties to spread risk.

Separate issue is only 13% of CA homeowners pay for earthquake insurance because it's so expensive and the deductible can be really high.What are your re-building costs in your area?

Yes, we will have a loss for 2024.Then it should be easy enough to have your attorney just change it and pay any required taxes/fees.

Definitely a lot of growth here as Texas Instruments is investing $29 billion into a development to bring over 3000 high paying jobs to Sherman.

Or paying off my debt, while I provide them with a nice house to live in instead of an apartment. 

You may want to pay an appraiser to determine the value at the time of inheritence.

I try to pay off all loans as fast as possible because I feel like money wasted on interest is overlooked sometimes as people only focus on the amount of money coming in rather than the amount saved.As of today, I'm just focusing on establishing the best systems to analyze the markets, find properties, get financing, make wise renovations, and manage my rental properties.

Nothing illegal about doing that, but if caught, the lender may call the loan due and if you don't correct the situation or pay the loan off, they willstart mortgage foreclosure.3) You could also go the HELOC route to tap the equity in the home, but the 12-month owner-occupancy will also apply AND the interest rate on the HELOC will fluctuate with the Fed Fund Rate.4) You could do a cashout refi as an investment property, but that will be at an interest rate 0.5-1% higher than owner-occupied rate.Suggest you meet with 2-3 lenders to explore your options about the above.Once you have access to funds, recommend you buy a 2-4 unit with 20-25% down. - You can buy owner-occupied, live in one unit, and fix up and rent the other unit(s).- If you're handy, recommend buying a property in the worst condition you can tolerate.

I'd also add to that that you are paying a 20% withholding tax on gross rental income. 

If I recall correctly, Rent Redi even gives them the option to pay using a credit card.