Then use the extra roommate rent income to pay down your mortgage and look to refi to a lower payment in the future (3-5 years) - so it cashflow when you move out.You could also choose the smaller unit and STR the other unit to generate more cash to pay down your mortgage and refi, so it cashflows when you move out.Bottom line: you'll have to get creative to solve your cashflow challenge!

You can also take advantage of lower down payment loan products rather than going 20-25% down on a conventional investment loan. 

Deferred Sales Trusts seem like a viable strategy to defer capital gains.

Down payment: Can you give us some of your reasons for wanting the larger down?

Cost Overruns: After the final payment, the contractor claimed there were additional costs of $60K.

Quote from @Jeff Brogan: I would hire a trusted expert to get you real numbers, someone that does it in that area all the time (rents out properties/property management). 

You're just going to need to find a couple of folks on the ground that you trust.

To scale, I plan to build a reliable local team, leverage 25% down payments, and use strategies like HELOCs or cash-out refinancing for future acquisitions.Good luck!

But those didn’t cash flow as good so I threw more $ down or my lender gave me a much better interest rate with a bigger down payment.

They do, however, have up to 60 days to return a security deposit after a tenant moves out.If an eviction is necessary for nonpayment, landlords are required to send a seven-day written notice of the payment due.