They want to rent your property out to strangers and make money. 

If you were to pay a cap rate lower than the interest rate, you'd be losing money.

INVESTMENT, which means you are putting money in, not taking money out

If you have spare money that you can loose.

Private Money Loan

Always remove the paper filter from the vacuum.It is a super stinky and nasty-smelling job and that is probably why your plumber(s) want so much money, but anything more than $1500 is far too much money.

$200k is no small sum of money. 

Here are some common financing options:Traditional Mortgage: Obtain financing from banks with a down payment, paying off over time with interest.Hard Money Loans: Short-term loans with higher interest rates, often from private investors, suitable for quick acquisitions or credit-challenged investors.Private Money Lenders: Individuals or groups offering direct loans, with terms negotiated privately.Seller Financing: Buyers make payments directly to sellers over an agreed period, with terms negotiated between parties.Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC): Borrow against existing property equity with a revolving credit line, typically offering flexibility.Real Estate Crowdfunding: Pool funds with other investors via online platforms for various real estate projects, offering diverse investment opportunities.1031 Exchange: Defer capital gains taxes by reinvesting sale proceeds into similar properties within a specific timeframe, useful for tax optimization.REITs (Real Estate Investment Trusts): Invest indirectly in real estate through publicly traded companies, offering liquidity and diversification.Joint Ventures/Partnerships: Collaborate with other investors to share resources and risks, leveraging each other's strengths for larger projects.Subject To Financing: Buy a property subject to the existing mortgage that's in place on the property (doesn't get paid off when the property sells).Assumable Mortgage: Buy a property and assume the mortgage that the seller already has in place.Lease Option: Rent a property with the option to buy it prior to a later date.Debt Service Credit Ratio (DSCR): A loan approved based on the income potential of the propertyThese options cater to different investor needs, preferences, and financial situations, providing flexibility in real estate investment strategies.Thanks,

Just want to make sure I'm not leaving money on the table next year.

You can find private/hard money, but they typically don't take second lien positions.