Larger down payment or negative cash flow?

[Manav Mandhani]

Hey all,

I've been working with a realtor in Austin, TX looking at buying rental property in the area. Based on our research, it's going to be nearly impossible to cash flow in the area unless I bump up my down payment to ~35-40%. 

Does it make sense to pay the 40% down payment and get a positive cash flow or stick to the 20% down and possibly get two separate properties but both with negative cash flow? Austin's also a really hot market and is expected to continue to appreciate considerably over the next 10 years.