Here’s why it might be a smart move:Maximize ROI: With leverage, you can control a larger asset value with a smaller initial investment, potentially increasing your returns as the property appreciates.Preserve Liquidity: Keep your cash available for other investments or emergencies while still participating in lucrative real estate opportunities.Tax Benefits: Deductible mortgage interest and expenses can lower your taxable income, enhancing profitability compared to an all-cash purchase.If you have the means to buy with cash initially, you can later refinance to unlock equity for further investments or improvements.

Would simply owning these properties through an LLC (with an associated business account) be enough to benefit from this? 

A VA IRRRL is a great benefit for veterans, just make sure to sort through the lenders that you speak with. 

So far installing Blink has NO ROI or benefit.  5 units, no Rep showing us how it works or suppport. 

I'm not sure whether this is a deal that's worth it, or even how to think about the benefit of a property that will not cash flow for 15-20 years.  

I see so many articles about the protective benefits of doing this, but my lender (and other lenders I've asked) say that residential mortgages cannot be held under LLCs (only commercial mortgages can), and that doing so can cause your entire loan to be called at once under penalty of foreclosure. 

I am looking at structuring a deal and I'm worried the DSCR will be too low and the deal may benefit from restructuring by purchasing the 2 vacant out of the 12 otherwise occupied units with hard money as opposed to trying to purchase all 12 with a institutional loan just because I'm worried the 2 vacancies will drag down the DSCR for the new purchase.    

Demand for Midland will always be there, not sure on STR rules but if you're traveling regularly then STR it and get the tax benefits/utility from it but make sure you're not violating the occupancy stays.

Getting a new lease contract signed has a few key benefits.  

Today we invest 100% into Roth contributions so there is no tax benefits to diverting the funds I would just be giving up the $7K a year employer match.