Can single family house cashflow more than a multifamily?

[Michael Stanley Nino]

So I'm just figuring out that single families has potential to cash flow more if not equal to multi families. I always thought multi families were a go to because each year rents raise which also means each unit pays perhaps a additional 50 every year. What is the pros and cons of single family to multi family? What do investors prefer when starting out (Especially out of state investing since I live in New York). I am seeking a high cash flowing property with minimum 12% ROI and 9% of cash flow. Is that a possible number to look for when investing in townhouses/condos in let's say Florida? Thanks!

[Joe Villeneuve]

You're comparing apples to apples...but not the same type of apples.  

Think of it this way. A multi family is just a group of SFH...stacked together.

If you have 12 SFH, and a 12 unit multi, you have 12 units either way.

I have found that in the same market, each unit of SFH usually rents higher than its multi counterpart.

Also, multi unit rehab is generally more expensive for the same thing.  Here are a couple of examples:

1 - If you have to replace a roof on a single family, you are replacing one roof.  You can't replace one unit's roof on a multi.  You have to replace the entire building's roof.  So, if you have 3 4-unit buildings, you are replacing 4 units of roof.  

2 - If you have to replace the driveway on a SFH unit, you replace one driveway. You don't replace driveways in multi units. You usually replace parking lots. You also have to seal parking lots, which you don't need to do with a SFH.