Or are there any alternatives to making sure the bill stays low?

If you just have 1 or 2 syndicates and don’t plan for a lot of growth there are cheaper alternatives.

Terms can range from: 5/1 ARMs, 10/1 ARMs 15-Yr Fixed, 25-yr, or 30-yr fixed (Yes even for commercial loans - but more often available through your non-bank or 'Bank-Alternative' lenders).If you have a portfolio of 15-SFR's with strong equity, you're likely looking at a 75% LTV max (assuming good credit >720-740+) with a non-bank lender.

There's been a lot of changes in the industry and many of us "movers and shakers" are working to legitimize tiny homes (and other alternative style housing) by engaging the authorities having jurisdiction as well as standards creating organizations.

Can you comment on the alternative of putting these expenses on a Schedule C? 

So, I am looking at alternatives. 

A much less expensive alternative would be to fence a small area--large enough for the dog to have some space to run around, but nothing on the scale of an entire yard.

Alternatively I am aware of a 26 unit property that was just sent to me this last week that I am interested in but I have not fully vetted it yet, in MO asking $1.25M, you could then use the remaining amount to possibly purchase some smaller properties or as a down payment still on something else.

Alternatively you could hire a 'Buyer's Agent' an experienced RE agent to act on your behalf, answer your concerns, and run some comps on the property, help you negotiate, write an offer etc.

There are definitely other alternatives but you might want to clarify here so that others in BiggerPockets can assist.