Eliminate debt, establish a budget, and save.

If you take a loan to pay for your mother-in-law you are taking on that debt in your name.

If it does go to probate, hopefully your brothers and you can amicably go the informal route vs formal (I've worked with families in both when buying properties out of probate and informal is FAR easier).Since there's no debt on the house, maybe you could sell with financing or maybe you could even buy out your brothers with financing -- that way you maintain ownership and just pay them a monthly amount.

OR refi one at 70% and get the 45k loan leaving some debt on the line of credit but keeping home 3 free and clear and adding a lot of value to it as well as getting some really good rental income from it.

In my case I sold off appreciated properties in a location I deemed as having limited future upside, and used the proceeds to eliminate all debt on the better located prime properties I wanted to keep long term.

Cash out refinances are also an option it just depends what debt you have currently and if it makes sense to pull that out.

They also want a priority lien on the property.It sounds like you are looking for someone to fund your down payment, I would be looking for an equity partner over debt as nobody likes to lend money in insecure positions, especially when a borrower lacks skin in the game.How much are you planning to come in with yourself?

Confirm with the solar company if the loan is transferable and review terms carefully—it’s a potential hurdle with lenders or resale.A DSCR (Debt Service Coverage Ratio) loan might be an option since you’re focused on rental income.

You do sound a little bit like "the @sshole" but I'll forgive it. ;).

So if you are not cash flowing and there isn’t appreciation then the only advantage you are getting is debt pay down.