I've been looking for an investment property for about 2 months now in a vacation area that is about 3hrs away from my city. It's overall a good area for STRs. I found a house that I think has potential - AirDNA is es...

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.

Stephen I can’t quantify that very easily with the information I get to but I would say with decreased in enrollment and increases in number of available units.

Nelson Nash developed the concept in the early 80s but the product the concept utilizes has been around for much, much longer.Since you brought up term insurance (which is temporary w/ no cash value accumulation or dividends), oftentimes a policy will be supplemented by term insurance in the form of a rider that allows one to increase their death benefit such that they can store more cash in their policy without triggering IRS MEC limits and therefore be subject to tax hits.The concept and its value proposition is incredibly misunderstood (and sadly often abused) but the reality is it works.

Unless rates decrease a good amount that is.  

If you are looking to B&H than Cape Coral may be a better option as home prices are still decreasing and it is a great time to buy.

(toilets/termites/tenants) It would decrease my time at work where I generate significant seed capital, and that lost opportunity cost would exceed the real estate profits at least in first 20 yrs of my career.

I can see a case for near term price decreases.  

For instance, if your rent is $1000/Mo and the annual inflation rate is 5%, the buying power of $1000 will decrease to $950 next year.

We do not adjust cleaning fee unless a property is really struggling and then we do it as a temporary move.