However, if you decide to install HVAC, it should be based on the comfort and safety of your tenants.

If you’re comfortable being a landlord, keeping it as a rental sets you up for long-term wealth.

1031 exchange sounds good in theory, but you need to do it in an area and at a time where there is inventory to choose from because once you identify the three properties, you have to close on one of them which is very difficult in a competitive environment.

It varies deal to deal, on one property maybe up to 65% LTV, but if you have more collateral the more likely they can make something work.For example, I've done numerous deals where we place a 2nd on 4-5 properties and the lender feels comfortable lending x amount of dollarsThese are very non traditional loans and no two will ever be the same.

I know you see a LOT of posts @Jay Hinrichs, so give it a few days and I'm sure just like the Justin Nyugen guy we got, more people will feel comfortable coming out of the woodwork bringing up some cases related to these name which will help law enforcement. 

just don't do a lease. as others have mentioned, this forces the buyer of the property to take over the lease (if its even allowed/ they qualify) and it certainly does make the property a little tougher to sell. i'm also doing a house hack, and here in CA, its made a world of difference for me. the bulk of our energy usage is in the summer when we want to run the a/c. my bill stays a constant $228/mo (i pocketed the tax credit and simply financed the panels after that grace period). instead of getting an $800 bill in the summer months, we run the a/c at a constant temperature 24/7 on auto, stay comfortable, and i typically get a little bit coming back at the end of the year. don't expect to pocket this "little bit back" by being conservative with your useage, it sort of is a use-it-or-lose-it situation... i think i got $54 back this year.

As you pay off the debt are you comfortable with $4M equity exposure within a single LLC?

Sponsor is realistic about current market conditions, and is humbling themselves on current portfolio, while also realistically appraising current environment as a potentially better buying opportunity than the peak 3 years ago. - Sponsor learns from mistakes.

As you get comfortable with the operation, maybe buy and rent a couple of those as STR/MTR/or LTR. 

Additionally, a fund allows for diversifying much quicker into a larger number of notes (and which also can be further diversified by geography, underlying real estate asset type, strategy etc.)The downside is that the investor has to feel comfortable vetting sponsors (and not everyone does).