As for new investors, I can even offer some advice that could help remedy the "naïvety" - something that will even help you in your endeavor to invest in regardless of your vehicle of choice! 

The most popular lender nationwide is 21st Mortgage, a Berkshire-Hathaway Company.

Vinyl trip pieces are popular too and claim to be more durable.

The answer, if those were the only choices, would be #1.Luckily, those aren't the only choices, but #1 would be a part of it.

So if the choice is between paying the costs on your own or using HML to do it, the HML route will allow you to leverage more of your money.  

You're talking about mainly the infrastructure, not finishes such as vanity, tile choices, etc. 

That just wouldnt be my personal choice.4) Depends if its a flip or a buy and hold, luxury living or low income housing, etc, etc, etc.Hope some of this helps though I know I didnt answer as concretely as you might have hoped. 

trying to wrap my head around a choice I have with a rental propertyI recently finish turning a house into legal duplex.new value is $430,000-450,000remaining mortgage is $173,000my mortgage is up for renewal On July bank is offering me 2.24 rate two year fix.cash flow with this new rate will give me about $1000 per month give/takeHowever, I am considering using the equity to invest in a new property.I can refinance with B lender at 4 % rate with $1000 lender fee and get $150,000  (cant refinance with bank)would likely allow me purchasing another property, turn it to legal duplex and get around 500$ cash flow per month.what is the best way to analyze the numbers and  compare those two  options? 

My friend (John) said he had no choice but to use his neighbor's Realtor friend.

Diversification is not a bad thing.Lots of choices are available after that in terms of what to do short term.Jerry