Here are some pros and cons of each approach to help you decide:Paying Cash for One Home and Refinancing LaterPros:No Mortgage Payments: You won't have monthly mortgage payments initially, which can reduce financial stress.Equity: You own the home outright, giving you full equity which can be used for refinancing.Lower Costs: No interest payments and possibly lower closing costs compared to having a mortgage.Better Negotiation Power: Cash buyers often have more negotiating power and can close deals faster.Cons:Opportunity Cost: Your cash is tied up in one property, potentially limiting your ability to invest in other opportunities.Refinancing Risks: Future interest rates may be higher, making refinancing more expensive.Market Fluctuations: Property values might decrease, affecting the amount you can refinance.Buying Four Homes with 20% Down on EachPros:Diversification: Owning multiple properties diversifies your investment, reducing risk.Rental Income: Potential rental income from multiple properties can generate cash flow.Appreciation: You benefit from the appreciation of multiple properties.Leverage: Using mortgages allows you to leverage your investments, potentially increasing your return on investment.Cons:Higher Debt: You'll have multiple mortgage payments, increasing your debt and financial obligations.Management: Managing multiple properties can be more complex and time-consuming.Market Risks: Market downturns can affect all properties, amplifying risks.Cash Flow: If rental income is not enough to cover mortgage payments, you could face cash flow issues.Considerations:Financial Stability: Assess your current financial stability and ability to handle mortgage payments and potential vacancies.Market Conditions: Consider current and projected real estate market conditions and interest rates.Investment Goals: Align your decision with your long-term investment goals and risk tolerance.Professional Advice: Consult with a financial advisor or real estate professional to get personalized advice based on your specific situation.If you prioritize lower risk and less debt, paying cash for one home might be the better option.

I think of this as a commercial transaction, similar to a hotel where you have the real estate and operator/management.

But I would like to use my chance to comment on this to emphasize how much of this situation really reflects on how you've managed the landlord-tenant relationship to date.In a high-regulation area-of-operation like California, cordial landlord-tenant relationships will get you past a lot of garbage like this.

There are plenty of out-of-state investors that are able to manage from much farther distances, so you should be fine there. 

It's a great starter property, so you can work out the kinks, figure out management, and build out your team.

Current property manager appears to be unresponsive and also seems to lack work ethics.Looking for recommendations of reliable, professional and responsive property manager who manages in those areas.

I currently own three properties, each managed by a different team.

The LLC should help you lower transaction costs since you as the LLC Manager can buy/sell property, taxes, etc by writing checks from the LLC's business account.I rolled my SDIRA from Equity Trust, no LLC (poor service, high fees) to Madison Trust w/LLC about 6 years ago.

Most of that here will go into the downpayment and closing costs and even then, especially if you long-term rent out the property, you'll likely not cash flow much at all even if you self-manage.  

I am considering putting them under a property manager.