One of the rentals is fully paid for and I'm torn between simply using the cashflow from it and the other two to rapidly pay the other two off, or taking a cashout refi on the paid-for rental and using that cash to buy two or three more at 25% down on each (so they will also cashflow about 300-500/month each).  

They splash out of steaks, a new grill, etc.And if they win big, they get a new car, etc.If you earn $100k, you spend $100k.People cannot break that cycle of spending everything they have.And despite all these gurus pretending it's easy, this is still a rich man's (and woman) game and it takes money to play this game. 

I am starting this discussion to see where you guys have found better conversion rates. Obviously they both have pros and cons. But when it comes to getting the seller to make the call, which has work best for you? 

So I would recommend you buddy up with a local investor near you that is using hard money and see if they can't give you an introduction and also review your deal for the hard money lender.Ultimately, the hard money lender's real fear is that a new investor simply doesn't know their numbers quite yet.  

But in today's world, its simply not competitive.  

In fact, most of the hard money lenders I know are not institutions, most are simply straight up business people. 

@Patrick Young certainly you can go observe. at many auctions 1/2 the people there are simply observing.

Simply this, IN MY OPINION,  you inflate what the properties value is or even can be, you inflate what the rental rates are, you decrease intentionally what the costs are.  

Maybe you can change them to just open from the inside, or simply not issue a key to that door.There are a lot of topics on locks here.  

Seems regulation always wins ...