Here are some pros and cons of each approach to help you decide:Paying Cash for One Home and Refinancing LaterPros:No Mortgage Payments: You won't have monthly mortgage payments initially, which can reduce financial stress.Equity: You own the home outright, giving you full equity which can be used for refinancing.Lower Costs: No interest payments and possibly lower closing costs compared to having a mortgage.Better Negotiation Power: Cash buyers often have more negotiating power and can close deals faster.Cons:Opportunity Cost: Your cash is tied up in one property, potentially limiting your ability to invest in other opportunities.Refinancing Risks: Future interest rates may be higher, making refinancing more expensive.Market Fluctuations: Property values might decrease, affecting the amount you can refinance.Buying Four Homes with 20% Down on EachPros:Diversification: Owning multiple properties diversifies your investment, reducing risk.Rental Income: Potential rental income from multiple properties can generate cash flow.Appreciation: You benefit from the appreciation of multiple properties.Leverage: Using mortgages allows you to leverage your investments, potentially increasing your return on investment.Cons:Higher Debt: You'll have multiple mortgage payments, increasing your debt and financial obligations.Management: Managing multiple properties can be more complex and time-consuming.Market Risks: Market downturns can affect all properties, amplifying risks.Cash Flow: If rental income is not enough to cover mortgage payments, you could face cash flow issues.Considerations:Financial Stability: Assess your current financial stability and ability to handle mortgage payments and potential vacancies.Market Conditions: Consider current and projected real estate market conditions and interest rates.Investment Goals: Align your decision with your long-term investment goals and risk tolerance.Professional Advice: Consult with a financial advisor or real estate professional to get personalized advice based on your specific situation.If you prioritize lower risk and less debt, paying cash for one home might be the better option.

Saving 3% per year will save you $1k/yr, $80/mo, of getting the loan costs you nothing.

For cost effectiveness we are using Citizens but he has several options to choose from.

Crazy.To be quite honest, if you don't have any experience at all, I would avoid AT ALL COST raising money.

it doesn't cost a lot to put utilities and parking pads in or even entitle it or to purchase land. it's just a lot of work that no one wants to do. parks are hard to get approved but they are not expensive to develop. it's nothing but utilities and parking pads and an office. harder to finance too, but compared to apartment development or mixed use development it is one of the cheapest and highest performing assets because of reduced construction costs. 

also, spend the money on professional pictures. it shouldn't cost too much and you don't get a chance to make a 2nd impression.

Money is made on the margin aka the cost of money to you versus what return you can get from using that money.

It looks like a less labor intensive way to increase cash flow over the STR route but also includes structural changes to a single family home (additional setup costs) and dealing with low income tenants.  

Usually investment properties will want a 20-30% down payment in addition to closing costs, so it's not going to be a good idea in your current state.

Can try to reposition to Class B, but neighborhood may impede these efforts.Vacancy Est: Historically 10%, but 15-20% should be used to also cover tenant nonpayment, eviction costs & damages.Tenant Pool: majority will have FICO scores of 560-620, many blemishes, but should have no evictions in last 2 years.