You also have to look at your own War chest of money and make sure you can roll with the worst of the punches that could happen.

For an experienced investor you may put as low as 10% down on a hard money loan, with a handful doing 100% financing. 

Alternatively, if something were to arise in our life (emergency or otherwise) while this money was tied up in an investment, we're left with few good options. 2) Time is not something I have much of.

NC and SC have some great markets for short term rentals and you would definitely increase your wealth by splitting the money and buying multiple properties.

We have used over a million dollars from investors in the past for individual deals, but ever since launching the fund it has become extremely hard to raise money compared to past deals, but we changed our terms to be more favorable to the LP’s. 

thereby allowing these plumbing updates to pay for themselves).I've got the toilets and faucets all picked out (because I have personal experience with these and I know which ones are good) - but I'm not sure what to do about the shower heads...I know that shower heads are an item that can be the biggest money-saver (because these tend to consume more water than anything else).

If this tenant doesn't move out, I risk postponing the close date, and losing money on the mortgage every month this situation drags on.

Was an REO property that I bought with private money for 300k.

If you're simply seeking leverage for additional properties you can tap banks and hard money/private money lenders.

You will then have a few options with that rent money....you can put it into principal or you can start saving it to purchase yet another property.