I prefer to buy and hold, get tenants for cash flowing and build a portfolio.

OR would people powered toys suffice?

. :)  We can pay the 25% down payment with stock investment money and get a traditional mortgage on it, but this seems the least attractive because I'd prefer the stocks to stay put. 

Truthfully, I'd prefer to sell over lease this property and use those gains to invest in another property.  

I have also thought about selling it to fund other properties, but I would prefer to refinance.

That's why I think scraping is preferable.

On the topic of areas you should avoid, I would just say that’s personal preference.

Preferably a fixer upper? 

While SFH are king right now (it terms of renter preference and appreciation), you may be able to buy a quality 3-4plex with that much down if sold.

A few of the GCs I've spoken with are hooked on tech wealth and ignorance of home building, so they prefer to help these startup employees build their "forever" home (ie charge $700 per square foot). thanks!