For ease of budgeting, I am personally inclined to go the mortgage route.Having said that... as long as you were diligent about when the balance is due, using it as leverage would be a great way for you to start building your portfolio.

Just wait 3.5 years and you will have your $70k AND still have your cash flow.Now, I'm always interested in getting more cash flow, so I might be inclined to refinance, take the $220k and buy more doors (more cashflow).But, I wouldn't refinance (yet). 

Instead what I find is that as my portfolio has grown, I repeatedly found myself in a situation where I had to admit:  I don't have time (or inclination) to do activity X anymore. 

As a construction inclined guy myself, I’d say keep them away from harmful dusts, or poorly ventilated areas with wet paint and find them things they can clean or trash they can clean up etc.

The taxpayer’s EIC and self-employment tax liability are both computed on the adjusted net earnings from self-employment.So yes, the IRS is inclined to argue that tax payer's who want the EIC tax credit need to report their deductions. 

I'd be more inclined to listen to the PM; her estimate might be moderated by the amount of work she will have to do.

The bank is more inclined to invest in a deal that you own vs. a deal your applying for with 20% down.

It is theirs to lend if they so feel inclined.

I'm definitely inclined to #3 as I got into this venture as a safety net and somewhat stability (otherwise I would just do REITs), but pulling in potentially bad tenants would be contradicting.

And I'm pretty conservative in my approach so I'm inclined to leave my personal residence alone.