I think that has a better chance of working for you than waiting on a check from the government. 

And the year and a half the mortgage was being paid down plus the 5% initial down payment or is there a slim chance of getting that loan to value to refinance using this method?

Real estate is a numbers game, the more people you talk to the better your chances of talking with someone who is motivated to sell.

It will give you the chance to gain some wisdom from them and get in the game.

I realize there are probably 100,000 discussions on here right now about these same topics, but I'm asking again because A) (knock on wood) we haven't lost a single rent, and B) we have a chance at a 2.4% rule expansion on 4 more units out of the blue.

You might pay a little more in origination fees, but the main advantage of mortgage brokers is that they have access to multiple loan programs.I could connect you with one if you don't know any, but chances are you probably do as mortgage brokers these days are like real estate agents - everyone already either is one, or knows one :)

Thank you Sean, do you have their phone numbers or emails by any chance?

Its just that chances are it will flood again someday.

@Rodney BartruffBy some chance to you live in Stuart, FL and do flooring?

There is a good chance you won't get 75% LTV.