Then, if you like some of the comments from a user, you can connect with them directly and perhaps do a 1:1 discussion and potentially discuss what you want to do in the future.

Good luck on your future! 

Also, if you have a below market interest note, if you wanted to sell that note for any reason in the future for liquidity you would be affecting the value of that note negatively.

This is perfectly fine if you are going to be living there a long time, but I see people who use a home as a stepping stool home to a larger home in future and make it very customized to their liking but then when try and sell it, it does not appeal to the masses.

Here are the numbers:$30k - avg monthly income3 options for rent vs buying$12.5k - avg monthly payment (20% down) on $2mil home$6.25k - avg monthly rent on $2mil home$6.25k - avg monthly payment (71.5% down) on $2mil home3 options for return on capital:7% - avg yearly return on 71.5% down payment (assuming 5% avg yearly appreciation in SD)10% - avg yearly return on from S&P 500>10% - avg yearly return on investment property (just an assumption, but I think you are all here because you beat the stock market)First, the $12.5k monthly is very intimidating and beyond what I should be spending on shelter (a no-go for me)

We're currently living in Idaho so attendance will be difficult in the near future but we'll have to plan a trip to Sac or make sure to attend a meeting when we move! 

, but we figured that the sentiment wasn't going to change in the near future.

The third property has a nice cash flow.I am wondering if there are steps I can take to reduce the cashflow issues of the 2 properties before obtaining another property, like pay down the mortgages or should I just save the cashflow from the third property to pay for any future expenses?

I hope things go better for you in the future. 

To establish a 50-50 ownership in both the property and future profits, you'll need a formal agreement outlining each person's contributions and rights.