As for capital, I will be utilizing my HELOC for initial fund on first deal.

There is a lot of grey area on this site, as there is on most sites, and in the interest of wanting to be fair to posters and not be ridiculously heavy handed, most mods will give posters the benefit of the doubt on the front end, maybe with removing a post and a warning or something similar.

However, I’m unsure about the utility of having two paid-off rentals 25 years from now.

Turn over cost when your tenants leave (check leases), marketing cost to add to the placement and monthly fees from PM, and utilities if those are provided by the landlord.What's your exit strategy?

I imagine a lot split would also significantly increase cost of utilities as now I would have 3 hookups in that scenario.I am also concerned what would happen to that sweet 3.25% 30 year fixed mortgage I have, which I don't want to create any risk over in the slightest.Any advice on how to frame my counter arguments would be incredibly appreciated.

In addition to above, consider utility entrances.

I have an incentive of $25,000 for going with the builder-specific lender, and I'm trying to figure out the best way to utilize it.

Utilizing the years of experience from the people on the forums will allow me to talk intelligently with a realtor, the property manager, the seller, and so forth.  

I am estimating at least $50,000 between furnishing it and updating.How does this look:$1.3 million with 20% down DSCR loan buy-down the rate from 9% to 8% 30 year = $9,332 (principal/interest/tax).Utilities - $750Income - Was thinking $250 per day but let's say $225 per day for each unit (30 days) just looked at AirBNB and AirDNA in area = $13,500 (.20 vacancy) = $10,800.I would manage it, but still need to think of cleaning fees.

From the homes we manage here in Central Florida any benefit of your utility bill is negated by the financing of the panels.