Just use the majorty for down payments and then some safe money.

Secondly, the property itself has had a lot of non paying tenants in the past so for me personally, not sure if that local neighborhood is really a winner for me.  1031 exchange requires you to replace the property within a certain period of time and i just cannot find anything in that short window. 

Is anyone here familiar with note investing in Canada, specifically buying non performing notes (ideally in large metro areas)?

It means a smaller upfront payment but still gives you some cash for future investments.

As such, payments that you make need to be prorated between business deductions and personal deductions.

Primary - 4bed/2bath, 2200SF, 3car attached, 1/2acre lotMortgage = $330k, Payment = $2100 PITI, Value = $450-475kRental - 4bed/2bath, 1600SF, 2car detached, 1/2acre lotMortgage = $190k, Payment = $1600 PITI, Rent = $2100/mo, Value = $330-350k-Market rent is closer to $2500, but we kept the rent low to help the family that lives there.

Min Requirements:-Non-Smoker-Income must exceed 3x monthly rent-Min credit score 600-No evictions or unpaid judgements from previous landlords -Background check will be conducted on all applicants over 18-No more than two pets (dogs and cats) allowed.

VA loans can be assumed by a non-VA buyer IF the original note holder is willing to forgo their entitlement until the loan is paid off. 

We could do what we did before and just save up a down payment -- I'm sure we'll actually have enough before we're ever able to find a good deal again :) But we are wondering if it would still make more sense, if we're able, to use equity in our first one for the down payment.

I've looked online but couldn't find a lease that has anything about not being able to claim ownership of the property, most were focused on rent payments which I'm not concerned with.