The lease option is interesting, but I worry since there are already tenants in place how that would muddy the waters, legally, i.e. which "tenant" would the seller be evicting if things went sideways.The hard money loan is an option, just looking at path of least resistance given the current state of affairs and potential for tenants losing their jobs, non-payment of rent, etc.

Losing $1,000 per month before accounting for other expenses doesn't seem like a great option to me.

My only fear is due to people losing jobs, not having cash, etc.

I’d definitely keep insurance on it so you don’t end up losing your empire when someone breaks in and hurts themselves.

Tenants who lose their jobs are not immediately SOL.

You will lose all your hard earned money if you go with a big brokerage that takes 40-50% of your commission and has office fees. 

A downside is I lose control of the property. 

They will try to weasel-words it into sounding like you somehow would lose it but stick to your guns here.Don't do any deal you aren't comfortable with. 

Fix and flips are one thing, but I don't think it's worth losing several thousand dollars on a property who's numbers still look largely the same now as they did a month ago.

The asking price dropped from $450k to $435k and I went in at $435k as the numbers worked and I didn't want to lose the home from any competing offers!