Combined, they are roughly at 50% LTV and I estimate very roughly that I have $300k in equity (at 100% LTV) in the properties.They both cash flow about $150 per month or so, and I do t have a lot of outside capital to work with to pick up any additional properties.Any thoughts on how I maximize this situation?

The combine credit score and income will then be evaluated. 

But they aren't quite articulating it enough in my opinion.You can both as friends do this together without putting strain on the friendship.And after learning and growing as individuals, putting it together to combine your expertise will just come naturally.Good luck no matter how you choose to play it!!

When taxes appear too high there are usually three ( or a combination of the three) situations:1) The property is assessed too high and/or property class is wrong.

I've even talked to other family members about combining our lots and creating a small community of homes.

@Vic Hartounian absolutely - leverage should be used inasmuch as you are comfortable, and there's no reason not to combine a cash and leveraged approach. 100% agree if you do OOS turnkey the team is what makes or breaks your investment (although to be fair this is also true of OOS BRRRR - but you have to build the team yourself).

The fact they are taking the unit sight unseen combined with the bribe often means once they arrive they will begin looking for a place they really want to live in and they will be gone at the end of the 3 months. 

The point of all this is to find strategies to improve lead generation specifically by combining and integrating and complimentimg diffferent stand alone lead gen strategies.

Easier to find financing if you have some "Skin in the game" Equity can come in many forms, cash, devalued purchase, sweat equity in rehab. portfolio loans with combined equity of other properties.

I am thinking of using a conventional loan (to the amount I can qualify for) in combination with a hard money loan, then BRRRRing the property to repay the hard money loan (after a refi) and keeping my conventional bank loan.