We have so many options and my head wants to explode. :)  We can pay the 25% down payment with stock investment money and get a traditional mortgage on it, but this seems the least attractive because I'd prefer the stocks to stay put. 

I am new to investing and I currently have one SFR that cashflows about $350/mo and has substantial equity (around $100,000).

Looking at typical trends the real estate market tends to slow down heading into fall and winter months.

We bought the house off market from a couple who started the reno and got in over their heads.

Being so new I am scared I am charging head first into something I am not prepared for and do not want to get myself in trouble.

Just off the top of my head - tenant(s) stop paying, tenant(s) injure themselves and sue you, major repair in your unit, major repair in another unit damages your unit, HOA decides to not allow rentals anymore, market could tank and you may need that $250k for something else at the same time, etc. 

Kiyosaki talks about three sides of a coin, head, tails and the edge.

If I have one coin and flip it one time, there is a 50% chance of getting heads.

This is one of those scenarios where I'm glad I've 'learned' to work with a good mortgage broker that can help me understand where the market may be headed.

It's another thing to pull something out of thin air and then not substantiate.