I'm seeking guidance on where to start when it comes to understanding terminology and what my options for investments even are.

Lot of different financing options depending on what you're trying to build!

My other option is to pay off the balance on one of our mortgages and cashflow more. 

The loan programs for 1-4 units have more favorable terms depending on if you're buying with income with a conventional investment property loan or having the loan underwritten by the rents with a DSCR / rental property loan. 5-8 loans generally have tougher underwriting and the rates are higher if you're looking at DSCR loan options for 5-8 units. 

There should be DSCR options for lenders that can go up to 10 units and do STRs. 

We are an hour west of Tahoe in an extremely rural area with very few options when it comes to any and all services. 

Thanks Nathan, I've began looking at non section 8 tenants and am finding great options!

Hakim, It reads like you want to do a lease with an option to purchase. 

So I'm not sure how that would affect this option but it might but this option costs $0 in capital to you - unless the contractor wants like a 10k deposit or something.

In high appreciation markets, accelerated payments or buying cash flow is a horrendous return compared to other options.