I think it's a good place to be, man there sure is a lot of multi family inventory coming in the market right now, but I guess it's getting absorbed?  

These loans often have more straightforward qualification requirements for investors with multiple properties but may have slightly higher rates.Cash-Out Refinance on Your Single-Family Rentals: If each has around $70k in equity, a cash-out refinance could provide some capital for the down payment, renovation costs, or even help you buy the 4-plex outright.FHA 203(k) or Conventional rehab loan: If you’re planning to occupy one of the units as a primary, FHA’s 203(k) loan or a conventional renovation loan could help with purchase and rehab costs at lower interest ratesPortfolio Loan: Some local banks may offer portfolio loans for investors with multiple properties.

The numbers worked with a conventional loan, as a long term rental.

Regular Conventional? 

LTRs basically do not cash flow at current prices with conventional rates. 

Consider FHA loans, conventional loans, and alternative financing options.

Your strategy with an FHA house hack is to live there for a year and then cash out refi into a conventional with the appreciation and do it again with an FHA on a new one.Keep saving and earning and meet real-life investors.

Aiming for conventional and not a DSCR loan due to costs and the higher down payment requirement for the latter.With that said, I'm curious to hear your take on what the most cost-effective & efficient approach would be to source a down payment.

I am not really a fan of the program because we have a very nice situation in our current home.Putting 20% down for a conventional loan is a steep task financially so I do not think that is an option plus I have been told by many of my friends with multiple MF homes to never use your own money to get into one.Then there is always using the equity we have built up in this current MF home we live in to purchase the next - I am not sure how that works but have done some research on home equity loans and believe that would be another option.Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

1031 exchange and conventional How did you add value to the deal?