If renovating adding the story would increase the rent significantly and make it more in line with the neighboring houses it may be worth it.

With the upswing in the country's short-term and mid-term rental markets, a unique opportunity is presenting itself to house hackers during a time when it's harder to cash flow than it was a few years ago.

Here is a mistake / aha moment: cost segregation studies are worth it, even for a portfolio of  smaller properties!

Cash offers would net you less.  

How do others manage to create positive cash flow from MF properties with debt?

That being said, it can be the most satisfying and cash-flow-positive business around. 

Even though there is low inventory, interest rates are high, and many properties don't cash flow, look harder there are always deals, you just need to find/make them.

We were just happy our first and second mortgage was going to be covered and have a little cash flow at the same time.

I just don't think you can expect a property to cash flow when you're putting 3.5% down.

they look like they'll cash flow a few hundred dollars a month but then you have a rough tenant turnover, or a big capex item come up, and boom - your cash flow is gone for 5 or 10 years.here are two really good threads to read.Overleveraging, net worth, cash flow and headache factorBaltimore - a path to never-ending painhappy to help further.