@Paige Seeley - If I am understanding the hart of your post correctly, you are balancing the decision to put more money down, in order to have better cashflow, vs going with a lower down payment (keeping cash in your control) but having a higher monthly payment. 

This approach strikes the perfect balance between affordability and quality, maximizing your investment potential.For those who are just starting in real estate or have limited funds, house hacking can be a game-changer.

The current balance is 49K. 

Check out the balance sheets of big banks.

I pay off all my balances each month.

The properties are either one street down from each other or are 2-4 buildings next door.Property #1 (Currently live in with my family and I)Purchase Date May 2021Mortgage Balance: $117,898Rate: 3.625%Mortgage payment including escrow: $870.51Purchase Price: $143,000Tax: $3,308Estimate to sell in today's market: $190,000- $210,000 based on current sales in the market this yearHOA: $110 monthly includes Water and building insurance and other maintenance for the propertyProperty #2:Purchase Date:: April 2022Mortgage Balance: $135,756Rate: 4.625%Mortgage payment including escrow: $1,375 (payment normally $1,059 but payment increased due to low balance on escrow because of tax increases)Purchase Price: $148,000Tax:  $4,578Estimate to sell in today's market: $190,000- $210,000 based on current sales in the market this yearHOA: $100 monthly includes Water and building insurance and other maintenance for the propertyRent: $1,400 a month only water is included in rentProperty #3:Purchase Date:: February 2023Mortgage Balance: $118,518Rate: 5.99%Mortgage payment including escrow: $1,315 (taxes have gone up for this property as well)Purchase Price: $132,000Tax: $4,522Estimate to sell in today's market: $190,000- $210,000 based on current sales in the market this yearHOA: $100 monthly includes Water and building insurance and other maintenance for the propertyRent: $1,400 a month only water is included in rentProperty #4: (We were thinking of selling this and take profits but not sure to be honest)Purchase Date:: February 2024Mortgage Balance: $139,408Rate: 6.75%Mortgage payment including escrow: $1,332Purchase Price: $147,000Tax: $4,130Estimate to sell in today's market: $190,000- $210,000 based on current sales in the market this yearHOA: $100 monthly includes Water and building insurance and other maintenance for the propertyRent: $1,350 a month only water is included in rent

If you have credit card debts with high rates/high balances I would focus on paying it down to 15% to 30% Max balance to credit limit ratios to lower your DTI - Debt to income ratios, increase credit scores and be in a better position to buy more properties at a lower mortgage rate.

I have been using them for 2 years and have not had any hiccups yet (fingers-crossed that continues).....with all that said, a good rule of thumb as a responsible owner is that you still need to pay attention to your balance sheet because human nature occurs and some things can fall through the cracks.

We did that for years up until HMB and other 'broadband brokers' closed shop for the unified HUD systems.

If the line balance and min payment is $0, then that's what's used.