If I were in your shoes (I'm not so you have to decide what's best for you!)

Just be disciplined and don't let the money end up as dinner out and new shoes. 

Also a great way to meet others in your shoes and some that are a little farther along.

However, if the owner doesn't want either an 'installment sale' or lump sum like you said, it might be best to try to convince the owner, maybe some negotiating techniques, and some other creative ways.Try pitching the sale in the shoes of the seller.

Basically put yourself in their shoes, they were uncomfortable, would you have expected it to be warm, did you get them an alternative source for heat.. and try and accommodate the situation and keep them informed of work progress.I doubt a concession for this would break you and if the tenants complained about this they had every right.

You can house hack... you can lend to other investors.. you can invest in a syndication.If I were to imagine myself in your shoes.

I love getting to stroll down well worn paths.

It doesn't matter whether your company invests in real estate or makes shoes.

The reason I know this is because I am in similar shoes right now and about to buy my first property to house hack in February.

What would you do in my shoes, dip into the market if conditions looked right, or wait until next year?