This will reduce your turn times allowing you to scale much quicker... not to mention reduce the unknow variables that come from having to wait for longer seasoning periods.The main benefit I see with a DSCR Loan is you don’t have to provide your tax returns and provide the documentation on all your other properties.

Plus, Maryland has a shorter redemption period, which could mean quicker returns on your investment.

Hard money for the purchase would get me in the door quicker  

Here are some considerations:Pros of Using a Hard Money Lender:Speed: Compared to standard lenders, hard money lenders can provide quicker approval and financing processes, which lets you take advantage of time-sensitive possibilities.Flexibility: It may be simpler to obtain financing if HMLs are more accommodating when it comes to credit history and property condition standards.Access to Funds: You may take advantage of more investment opportunities by having quicker access to the equity in your property.Experience: For first-time investors in particular, certain hard money lenders offer invaluable experience and advice that can be helpful in navigating the fix and flip process.Cons of Using a Hard Money Lender:Greater Costs: Hard money loans might have interest rates and other costs that are greater than those associated with standard financing sources, which raises the project's total cost.Term Length: HMLs normally provide loan durations that are shorter, usually lasting between six months and a few years.

Determined to find some way to pay off debt quicker and become financially free I decided to read some books and get into multiple forms of investing.

Meanwhile you are correct in pointing out the lower cost markets have less of a barrier, but housing in these markets are prone to have margin wiped out far quicker by contingincies.

Some topics are bit taboo on here and unfortunately, negative always takes off a whole lot quicker than positive. 

Should I put it all down to pay it off quicker so I can move on to my second house investment after paying off the first or should I just put 20% down and purchase another house similar to the first with 20% down as well.

@Ray HarrellSellers will owner finance because (1) they will be able to sell for a higher price because they will sell to people who can’t get institutional financing, (2) they think the interest rate they receive on the money they financed, usually 6-10%, is better that the 2% bank accounts are paying (3) they get to spread out the gain on the sale of property over many years and not be bumped into a higher tax bracket immediately, or (4) they can sell the property faster as a buyer doesn’t have to wait 45 days to fulfill institutional lending requirementsBuyers may want owner financing because (1) they save the points and other fees associated with institutional financing (2) they may own the maximum number of properties financed allowable by lending institutions (3) they as full time real property investor may not be able to prove the amount of income necessary to obtain a loan (4) they may not qualify for conventional financing, only hard money, in which case owner financing may be at a much lower interest rate (5) they may have liens, judgements, etc. outstanding that make obtaining outside financing impossible, (6) they may want to close quicker than available with institutional financing.Please let me know if this makes sense

Power of attorney is not permitted, but I did have one lender who blessed off on a corporate resolution for a stateside entity member to have signing authority for the business.