The original six month tenant I had extended the lease 9 times and stayed a total of 5 years, paying me about $15k over market rent annually.  

Raising the rents will not be as easy as merely sending out notices of rent increases.

As I see it, the only ways that real estate pays you well in the first 3-5 years is low to no leverage or a strategy that requires more work (short term rental, mid term rental, rent by the room, etc.).  

Just the other day I was able to close for a seller who is living in Taiwan and I'm located in Utah.

They are asking me to call them… see message below:“We are very interested in your property and would like more information, particularly about the proximity of the amenities to the location.

Hello,Im working with a lender to refinance into a Fanny Freddy mortgage now that I have stabilized my 36 unit complex.They have asked for a CAPEX schedule, and a T-6, in addition to the rent roll. 

Great Location.

We (my girlfriend and I) live in the 2/2 upstairs, and furnished the 2/1 walkout basement and are renting it out as a MTR.

@Joe Gellenbeck Recommend you first figure out the property Class you want to invest in, THEN figure out the corresponding location to invest in.Property Class will typically dictate the Class of tenant you get, which greatly IMPACTS rental income stability and property maintenance/damage by tenants.If you apply Class A assumptions to a Class B or C purchase, your expectations won’t be met and it may be a financial disaster.If you buy/renovate a Class A property in Class D area, what quality of tenant will you get?

When house hacking, consider the area's average rents, property values, and financing options, such as FHA loans or conventional loans, which may require as little as 3.5% down for multifamily properties (if it's owner-occupied).