Even the platforms that are for landlords with a larger portfolio are great, but if you only have a few units -- from a pricing standpoint -- it may not make a whole lot of sense to go that route. 

My friends who have chosen the other route have either lost money or made returns so small that it would be completely unacceptable anywhere, save for the emotional and cultural attachment they have to New York City.

Since you have reached a point where you've scaled up your family's REI portfolio a bit, it could make a lot of sense to go the PM route; or, you could continue to manage it yourself with a bit more guidance by using a proven platform to help you with the different steps of the process (ie. listing, tenant screening, digital lease creation, rent collection, maintenance tracking, etc).

The numbers look good going this route and we do have the cash to close this deal this way.2. 

I'll look into the states and different wording/options that there will be.I did give some thought to doing it through the LLC route, but will probably be getting 30yr fixed loans which I don't think can be done through the LLC?

I wish I had a clear answer for you but if the bank is pushing back not wanting to pay it off, it seems that settling with Vivint on a buyout price will be the most expedient route to resolving the issue.

New transportation route being planned/ future development nearby/path of progress.10.

The loan amounts will drive the wholesale pricing, and flat per loan costs will be minimal relative to those typical loan amounts, short of cross selling this will typically be the best route (as a "median" customer, you really aren't seen by the big banks as worth taking a hit in the mortgage division to cross sell you other financial services, you're just a "median" customer and a number to them).

The plumber's plan is to route water through the attic space and drop down pipes in the walls. 

Is there another route I can take to secure this deal I'm overlooking or don't know about?