I know the more cash we invest in the deal, the less stress/risk it would be.  

If you have a good GC your project will go alot faster than if you were managing it yourself and you will have way less stress, but that comes at a cost.

I'm sure the people you are talking to will give you this same piece of advice, but I want to stress it to you....You do not need to be in a hurry.  

If a corporation is involved like this in some development and offer twice + what you paid, I'd sell it and rely on the financial loss arising from the unforeseen unsolicited opportunity as causing a financial hardship and unreasonable loss, stressing that the intent was to live there.

You know, the tenants, the toilets, the stress.

It is less stressful.

Squatters should go to and jail, and then since they like to take from others and be leeches on society, they then should have to do community service

my wifes a veterinarian and loves to help me out with rehab projects. its a good way to relieve the stress that she deals with on a daily basis. she gets satisfaction from helping me out and enjoys the final product that someone will be able to enjoy. she would never give up her profession, but loves to see rehab projects and enjoys our rentals.

Run various scenarios and decide what you want.  12 houses mortgaged to the hilt with the work, stress, risk and upside potential of twelve houses or 3 or 4 houses with minimal leverage, similar overall cash flow due to lower leverage, lower work and risk but overall lower upside because you are just dealing with 3 or 4 houses.Good luck.

We are in the upswing of the hotel cycle with many strong years ahead however make sure your feasibility study includes several worst case scenario stress tests.