You make instant money when you close.

If you have instant access to a copier or want to just take a picture with your phone, you can make a copy for the tenant that way.

This will instantly tell you how safe your money will be.

I should mention the house I'm planning on selling, I bought for great instant equity and just barely makes positive cash flow.I've always found it difficult deciding how to value my time.

This will allow you to put minimal down, and instantly get multiple tenants, and will bring you the most wealth, the fastest route.This doesn't factor in your quality of life, as you may want a large house, pool,  great neighborhood for the kids, etc...    

Mine is just another line of my bank account   I can transfer money to my checking instantly and then do what I want with it.    

Survey would have shown that.But back to the instant situation... title insurer collects from title E&O if lack of authority falls on shoddy title procedures.

I would much perfer to have instant access to 50K sitting in an investment, then sitting in my rentals that I can't touch when I loose my job.

Instant equity of over 1 million.

Get some instant equity that way and build up some more by fixing it up.