Will a parent co-sign with you?  

@James DavidsonAssuming that you have been impacted by the virus in one of the enumerated ways and therefore qualify, you can take a penalty-free distribution (as well as waive the 20% withholding requirement) from your 401k (assuming that the employer allows it) anytime between 1/1/2020 and 12/31/2020.

I mostly help my parents, but I help other investors out whenever they need it too.

It's theirs, therefore it is their responsibility.You allowed your tenant to make demands and threaten to withhold rent without justification.

Seeing the writing on the wall, I decided to log on to my employer's website and change the number of dependents for federal withholding.

@Evan BonnellJust a couple additional comments to good post from @Natalie KolodijCan Waive withholding requirement (typically 20% when taken from employer plan)Need to confirm that plan allows for such distributions (employer does not have to allow it)Must take distribution by 12/31/2020May avoid the taxes if you deposit the funds in an eligible retirement plan (which includes an IRA) within "3 years and a day" of the date of the COVID-19 distribution (note: compare to a 60-day rollover).

Five kids sharing 2 bedrooms (assuming none are in the bedroom with the parents) would be cozy.

Zillow is good for the school lines.Washington County Maryland is unique in that they have magnet programs at a bunch of the schools that the kids can go and less overcrowding so other than a measuring stick for crime the parents have tons of options for their kids school wise.

. $20k is very easy to come up with...go with private money, borrow some money from your parents, get a line of credit with a bank, etc., and then pay it back when you refinance.

Have you thought about partnering with your parents to get that first multi-unit to live in?