It would also be helpful to have a strategy in mind when looking for lenders so you get in touch with the right people-- a hard money lender is great for flips, but not for a primary residence, for example.

Based on your location, security is probably important.

I can't tell you how many investors call me asking to compare or analyze a duplex and when I show them new construction and existing inventory no deal can ever touch it.

Your tenant base for an MTR that requires a minimum 6 month stay is small.

He is a local CT based lender who knows CT and DSCR loans.

Set up purchase criteria that will define success for you, an arbitrary minimum purchase price is not a great criteria, instead I would use something like proximity to good schools, neighborhood improvement trends, etc.Finding good deals is really tough right now so it is important to have criteria that are solidly grounded and based on reasons that will steer you toward profits.

The properties are currently about breaking even based on their first year as rentals, but the management company used seems to be leaving some on the table in my opinion. 

We have spent years watching the markets we invest in and I feel that if we pause for even a few months we lose touch.

Just try to extract what value you can, then focus on scaling your own business based on your own personal circumstances... one deal at a time.

The lender does IMO… Nobody declares bankruptcy if they own properties with cash unless they make dumb mistakes and cross collateralize.The cash investors might loose money but they won’t be bankrupt.Also, only when you build a base of 3-4 properties with cash, and fully understand the true income of your portfolio after consecutive years of performance.