There's no one size fits all of course, but generally the STR/MTR/LTR mix in a multi-family unit can be challenging because the way renters utilize these properties is so different.

You could structure it where they provide most of the down payment while you handle the management side.

How should this be handled: tenant pays, landlord pays or split costs and why?

The market there has been exceptional for me, but not without its challenges.

Confirm that the warranty applies to the type of property you own and consider whether the annual cost and service call fees make sense compared to just handling repairs yourself or using your own trusted contractors.

Challenges?

They now use "Dave" to handle customer inquiries efficiently and promptly. 

Challenges?

Accepting any payment will make eviction more challenging but some states/localities prohibit you from refusing partial payments, so you have to know your local laws.

The volatility of Austin's RE market also presents challenges.