Student housing. 4 bedroom house near ASU vs 4 plex elsewhere.

[Marshall Gerston]

My nephew and several others that I know that are in college rent out an individual room in a 4 bedroom house. The landlord loves it because they have 4 rooms they are renting out rather than one lower price point lease and the students (and the students parents) love it because they only have to worry about their own lease. They all of course use the kitchen and common areas. They always have a friend who is looking to move in so the houses stay very full from what I'm gathering.

So I am looking for a traditional 4 plex in the Phoenix metro area, but I am also considering buying a 4 bedroom house near ASU and doing what I described above. Dorm rooms rents and other housing in the area are skyrocketing so the demand is there. Anyone have thoughts or better yet experience with this kind of thing?