Go/No-Go Decision on a Duplex/Triplex

[Gabriel E. Martinez]

Regarding multi-family properties, many deals look positive with all units rented, but turn negative when one is not rented (as would be the case when house-hacking). 

When buying a multi-family property as part of a buy-hold strategy, but you will live in one of the units, do you base your decision to invest:

Based on positive cashflow from BOTH units being rented (in case of a duplex, all units in case of triplex or quads)?

Or

Based on ONLY ONE unit being rented?

Obviously, positive cashflow is much harder to reach in a duplex when one of the units does not produce rents. Triplexes and quads help with the math, but the price to start is higher and they are harder to find here in Florida. However, the goal is to buy a duplex, house-hack for a time and vacate it and rent it out asap.

Thanks BP community!