All they are doing is adding additional costs and getting zero protection.

If you DM me your email address I'll get you added to our events email list.Regarding the options you listed, I think #1 is best.

If you added in the cash you should have to protect against contingencies, the actual return goes down (or the risk sykrockets, your choice)- If the $300K properties cashflow, definitely a better bet. 

The letter also stated that the current landlord should have begun collecting payments toward to the security deposit upon receipt of the letter they provided me, which they did not. 

Maybe adding a parent a lease co-signer (and payer) might help.

It's an agency, and I could invest in ads to drive more business.. in theory the return there would blow the return of rentals out of the park. 

If you plan on doing a lot of value-added projects.

We're trying to get rid of the added stress of monthly repairs and simplify things.

Now some investors will argue it is not a D area but a C - or something.

Then I added the payments for the second and third mortgages under the additional expenses so that I could accurately calculate my cash flow.