Your third option is really appealing and quite under-discussed.

Equity Multiple has a good track record and they seem to do a superb job at underwriting deals.

If your goal is to maximize liquidity for future deals, reducing your cash outlay or exploring refinancing options could make sense.

Yes, you can expand (and SBA has some great options for that), but the basis for a strong expansion is really understanding how the business works.

But even if multifamily options are limited, a single-family home with a rentable guest suite, basement, or garage apartment can still work.Finding a VA-friendly lender who understands house hacking is key.

When i started investing i thought the investing where i lived was the only option. 

Or, second option if you are not single, you could find a house on the wholesale list that can be divided into two units or a house that has a guest house and then fix it up and rent out one of the units and stay in the other.

@Juliann Morala Yep, a buyers agent that works exclusively with investors will have all the info you need and lots of options on contractors, lenders, attorneys, inspectors, property managers.

I would also consider MTR in these markets as it is highly profitable with less turnover and more options for guests.

We've done demos with all of the big name PMS options and are finding big gaps with all of them, mostly when it comes to payment processing.