Benefit of waiting is lower mortgage payments and lower debt.

A benefit of this setup is that VRBO still processes payments and handles the transaction.

I think are benefits/drawbacks to both scenarios. 

Unless you are unknowledgable, my bet is you could make more from rent than sale, and still have the benefits of owning the original home while you go do something else.The 25K you have left in property will be netting you(gross) of $350 mo or 4200 per year.

The benefit is significantly less red tape compared to working with your traditional local banks who also do new construction financing.

Many benefits to doing so. 2) If you are going to invest outside your area, the one thing I rarely see mentioned here is simply the "investment landscape".

Syracuse is definitely experiencing a lot of hype at the moment because of Micron, and we're seeing lots of renovated options on the market in areas that likely won't benefit from the new campus.

That's my biggest concern.But I should also look at the tax and long term benefits.

I think any seller without much knowledge of being the lender would appreciate the added benefits and hassle free approach using a third party.

New tenant security scheme that only benefits Suncoast and the tenant - leaves owner paying up at move out.