They managed to cover the mortgage and still had a comfortable place for family vacations.

But, it covers enough of the basics.Again, believe what you will.

Currently finalizing a deal for another property with a different individual investor where we will have the same payout model, but they will put up a bit more cash to cover all the admin work I have to do to set things up. 

The reality is that insurance will cover your 16-year-old's accident.

The guest stay with discount and toilet replacement did not cover the cost of the unit for the stay. i have the issue on occasion that the guest is expecting a bigger unit and thinks the price is high but they do not realize the value of the unit.  

If you do outsource, some management companies will cover various things like cleaning, supplies, etc. so look into that as well. 

Hi Owen- Most others have covered the specific areas to consider.

I would agree with Chris, I would not use debt to cover all costs and then hope to get a good pop on the sale to cover all the debt, payments and still have some in the end to make a profit to do it again.

If one or more units are vacant, the remaining units often don’t provide enough cash flow to cover expenses, making it harder to meet operating costs.Maintenance costs: A fourplex comes with four times the appliances, plumbing, HVAC systems, and other components to maintain, leading to significantly higher repair and maintenance expenses than single-family homes.If you want to see the detailed calculation, read this BP blog - More Units Doesn’t Mean More Money—Why a Single-Family Home Can Beat a Fourplex.Resale value: Multi-family properties have a limited buyer pool—mainly investors—who base their offers on CAP rates.

This allows you to pivot when you can get a more favorable situation.Renting:Pros: Flexibility, less upfront cost, maintenance covered by landlord.Cons: Limited equity building, rising rents can strain affordability.Buying:Pros: Potential for long-term wealth building through equity and appreciation.