But I'd like to see Lynnette's projects to support your claim "the portfolio was a 30% increase in cost to the consumers" since in TN, NC, VA, NC PPAs are priced at avoided costs. 

I was a student they offered to sponsor a deal for and it has cost me everything, literally. 

While the borrowing costs are higher, I’m exploring strategies where the returns could offset this.

@Shaylynn O'LearyI think I may have posted this in response to you in another thread a while back, but here goes again.If you pick a random "low cost" market like the ones you named, don't know anyone there, don't set up a network, buy random properties, and turn them over to people you've never met to manage, you will most likely lose money. 

The last deal I did like this, I bought a $145K home with about $10,000 out of pocket for repairs & closing costs

If you're trying to work backwards on how to get to $40k/monthly net, you'll need to invest $8mil up front and aim for a 10% return. 

Opt 1) utilizing our savings in the brokerage account and emergency fund and pay for it all up front. 

With a very high costs are so many are stretched to the limit.

We cap the rate for utilities and actually added about 10% above our normal average this past year due to rising utility costs in our area for gas and propane.  

My money market funds are dedicated to go towards a down payment, closing costs, etc.