If you have to pay off a lease that is 5 years old, you could end up paying 70k for something that you could buy today for 20k (I've seen this many times).If the property has multiple meters, and one solar system, well, things get complicated. 

Idealy I am looking to get a multifamily, but it looks like prices are soooo expensive on most MFR in good neighborhoods that it almost makes sense to buy multiple SFR in certain areas instead

They have more skin in the game then you do.Make sure you get clear title.

Scenario A (typical) - $500k duplex-$125k down-$375k mortgage at 4.6%Scenario B (modular financing) - $500k duplex-$125k down-$260k mortgage at 4.6%-$75k HELOC on primary residence-$40k loan against 401(k) (technically this would be $165k down, but you get the point)In scenario A, paying off the mortgage quickly makes zero improvement on cashflow until you pay it off completely, or refinance, and there's no point in that if your rate is locked in lower than current(or future) market rates.Scenario B could involve higher interest rates on the HELOC and the 401k loan, but you have multiple, simple, easy options for increasing your cashflow, and then you don't end up playing as much in the overpriced, volatile stock market.

It is typically much easier for you to buy "turnkey", however in my experince you will buy better quality from an owner who occupied the property than a hous that has been professionally flipped and the remodelling has been done skin deep.Cash and quick closing is not always an advantage.

It is an extremely strong seller's market.For buyers, expect multiple offer situations - IF - you can actually find a property. 

What the OP is proposing is becoming more and more common and there are multiple discussions on it within the BP forums.

- It's only good for food haha).The quotes came back as such: $5500, $6400 and $7800 for a new 3 ton unit and installation..I was appalled as these prices didn't sit right with me so I decided to take matters into my own hands and do some on the ground research since I just so happened to be in Houston that weekend.They say your network is equal to your net-worth so I immediately reached out to my network of investors and got the contact of a formidable handy man in the area.We were able to cut out the multiple middlemen and go straight to the wholesale distributor (cutting off all middle men would mean going straight to the manufacturer but it's not possible to buy one off units from them).I paid $1000 for a brand new 3 ton unit and was charged $500 for the labor of the handyman...Needless to say, I'll be working with this handyman for future projects and repairs..Total cost - $1500 and 2 hours of my timeTotal savings - ~$6000Because of my spidey sense and network, I was able to save a ton of money, form a new relationship in the process, acquire a connect with the wholesale distributor and write this article..

They are also subject to rules governing service termina­tions to multiple dwellings, customer security deposits, payment agencies, back-billing and the refund of overpayments.Municipally owned water suppliers (those of cities, towns, villages, etc.) are not governed by the Public Service Law.

If you're currently bogged down by student loans, please request being put on an income-based repayment plan and consolidating multiple loans (if you have more than one of course).