This way you can utilize the leverage if you plan to scale up in the future.

There's a few different ways to focus on a lower rate such as with house hacking and making the investment your primary residence, requesting a significant closing credit from the sellers for standard rate buy-downs (which I've had great success with recently), or utilizing lenders who offer short term rate lowering solutions such as 2-1 rate buy downs (again, ideally paid for by the sellers).

@Chris Collins  Tenants usually pay all utilities. 

I have yet to have a guest ask for a refill or mention the quality (I tried to pick a nice-looking, not-too-expensive brand).Be careful with the scents -- I had a run of people pulling out and hiding the scents and one or two people complained that they were scent-sensitive in private notes. 

After picking a handful of areas of interest, it took me about 6 months to work on the deals that met the numbers I mentioned before.Now its time to scale!  

Most likely raising funds from passive investors would utilize a Reg D 506 b or c safe harbor exemption from registration.  

They must first move out, leave the property broom-cleaned, and then they can pick up the funds at our attorney's office.Most won't agree to all this - so they are liars.

On utilities, I bought a foreclosure in NJ and found out it was not attached to Town sewer and I actually had to extend the main line up to my property then put the lateral in and abandon an old cesspool.  

My brokerage is part of Anywhere RE, we have the biggest names under our umbrella (ERA, Caldwell Banker, Sotherbys, BHG, Century 21) and we have a fantastic referral program that I can hand pick an agent anywhere in the country and interview them for you to make sure they have the qualities you are looking for.

From what I can tell, the extra equity on the house could be utilized to provide better ROI.