As part of the project, the only existing drain on my side of the street is being sealed over with concrete and even that will be lost.

So I'd be doing my best to get the highest possible rent/revenue but without needing or counting on that.What you refer as cut-throat competition exists in every market where you have demand.

Used an existing frame down in Belize to build our house down there.  

That can be used to buy down the mortgage rate or reduce closing costs. 

Quote from @Sushil Iyer: We have a SFH and a duplex that we own free and clear, and a duplex on which we have a residential mortgage.

"Cross selling" is _________________:a) When you go to your sales job wearing clothes more typically worn by the opposite gender.b) Just like it sounds: literally selling crucifixes. c) A strategy wherein a business strives to encourage existing customers to purchase adjacent products complementary to an item that the customer has already bought in a prior transaction, or is currently on the verge of purchasing.d) All of the above.

@Mary Lopez - second on using a mortgage broker. 

Wondering if the vacancy rate is higher in the area as it seems more advantageous to just buy a house and pay mortgages rather than renting.

However, seasonality still exists and the summer is low season.

Some of the best BRRRR deals I have seen play out this way:You buy a home cheap enough that when you do a renovation and pull out 75-80% LTV, your rent covers your mortgage and you have returned most of your investmentThis is for A-B class areas.