@Marylin OShea I would definitely see if a bank local to there is willing to be more flexible.

So, in this case, would having the son added on the lease give the dad the same flexibility to break the lease when the deployment happens because the lease is jointly in their names?

Should I purchase it for cash and finance it later (does this give me some sort of flexibility, cheaper financing option later on?).

I feel that would leave me with no debt and in a position of flexibility. 

This provides you more flexibility where you don't make rehab payments until after each draw and the contractor ends up with more money in their pocket in exchange for this convenience.  

I guess my situation boils down to:As I will be going through a kind of tunnel (one way I see it), where I may not be able to pull the equity out of this rental - short of selling it - for possibly the next 2-3 years, should I go ahead and pull the money out now to allow for options, opportunities, flexibility during this time? 

Unlike stocks for example, where you have more flexibility to sell this year vs next year and take the gain at that time.Hope that helps,- Tom

The second voice can sometimes provide flexibility that may allow the tenant to get current, but they have to work for it if they want a break.

Kitchen tables, nightstands, desks, and more can all be folded out of sight when not in use, making spaces flexible for multiple purposes.7.

But we have flexibility as we're still a few weeks away from purchasing the home ourselves.