And I also think that the inventory in your market plays a large role in deciding what property type makes the most sense.In my market, there is a large abundance of the small multi-family properties, especially the 2-4 unit properties.

We want to buy an arcade machine for our STR that plays a bunch of different games.

Long term play would be to either use it as a short term rental or 1031 exchange it after 2+ years.

Your tenants obligation was to pay you on Jan 1, so it doesn't matter if they paid someone else they still owe you...obviously details re: notice and dates all come into play here and from a practical perspective I'd work with the tenant and not move to evict over this.

Sounds fun. 

and I gotta tell you it's really fun to get to see the impact of my legacy gifts while I'm still around to watch my children prosper.  

For instance - Easter baskets, Halloween candy, fun craft beers for St Patty’s Day, tons of options for Valentine’s Day, small tree and decor set up for Christmas, etc.  

This could be an opportunity to add value by offering to help with clearing or relocating those items as part of any potential agreement.Why This Could Be a Good Move for YouYou see long-term potential in the property, especially with the large lot and development possibilities (even if those are years down the line).As the current tenants, you have the advantage of a direct relationship with the landlord and familiarity with the property, reducing competition and risk.This could be a chance to lock in a property that you might otherwise lose if it hit the open market, especially in today’s competitive environment.Challenges to ConsiderIf the landlord is emotionally tied to the property or reliant on rental income, they may be reluctant to sell.Financing could be tricky, especially with today’s interest rates and the gap between the current rent and what a conventional loan might cost.The development potential you’re interested in is likely a long-term play, which means the property could be financially tight in the short term, especially if you’re only breaking even or slightly negative on cash flow.Structuring a Potential DealTo make this feasible, you’ll likely need to explore creative financing options that align with both your financial capacity and the landlord’s goals.Seller Financing: Propose a deal where the landlord acts as the lender, allowing you to make monthly payments directly to them.

Looking for a long term play with rent stability more than making huge cash flow.

It kinda makes it FUN.