(rent payment at fair market value.)Loan Payments: Ensure the rental income paid by the LLC is used for mortgage payments, clearly documenting the transactions to avoid co-mingling of funds.Insurance:Landlord Insurance: Obtain a landlord insurance policy for the rental portion of the home through the LLC.Homeowner's Insurance: Maintain a separate homeowner's insurance policy for my personal residence.

We have a decent amount of savings, at least enough for a down payment and closing costs on our next home, but the buying power just seems so limited in our area. 

Larger parcels are obviously worth more to most non-residential buyers. 

It seems like I could take $120k or so out of the Townhome to then use it as a down payment on another one or two.

I'm not sure if I should buy another home or I should add the 40k to the duplex down payment. 

Here's a PARTIAL list:Office rentComputers, printers & softwareInternet & phone billOffice furnitureOffice supplies: paper, postage, ink, etc.Office liability insuranceAuto expenses: monthly payment, insurance, gas, maintenance, registration/plate feesBroker license fees: annual, monthly board & MLS fees, continuing education fees, E&O insuranceEquipment: lockboxes, signs, etc.Payroll & payroll taxesBusiness income tax preparation and paymentsLabor: answering phones, calling past due tenants, scheduling tours, taking marketing pics, processing those pics, writing ads, researching rent amounts, posting ads, explaining to owners how rent determined & showing where ad posted, opening & processing mail, posting payments, bank deposits, scanning documents & posting to owner & tenant portals, explaining accounting to owners so they understand their monthly statements, taking pics/videos of repairs, finding reputable handymen and contractors, confirming they're properly licensed & insured and tracking annually, verifying repairs done properly, processing invoices for utility bills, repairs, taxes, city inspections, scheduling periodic property evaluations/inspections with tenants that don't want strangers in their homes, explaining to owners why taking so long, and more & more & more...

If the alternative is wait 5 years for a down payment on something you don’t live in, you stand to likely gain substantially by moving on this decision now and collecting rent, principal pay down, appreciation, and tax benefits in those 5 years.  

DSCR loans are based off of down payment, credit score and either actual or market rents so it helps to supercharge an investor's real estate goals and net worth.

You are heading in the right direction to get the financing options laid out and then find the deal so you can pull the trigger for the right one.As far as HML options be sure you get all the details before signing anything . . interest rate, payment terms, what if you need to extend, points up front, etc

Your mortgage payments may be fixed, but your taxes and utilities will increase, your maintenance material costs and labor rates for repairs have gone up, and your property is wearing out (appliances, flooring, water heaters, furnaces, roof, etc. all have a lifespan and will eventually need replaced).