I would advice being conservative running Birmingham rents due to DOM.

The Property Manager will take half the first months rent if not the whole first months rent.  

I'm from Leesburg, and I can tell you—multi-family is a solid choice (piggybacking the previous comments which I agree 💯), especially with that live-in/rent-out, house hack strategy.

I understood that rent prices are decreasing.

When the rent rates stabilize, I suspect they'll bring it back.I wouldn't try it in a location like Portland, but 99% of the country would be fine with a policy like this as long as it is disclosed and applied equally.

Quick question on those who have done seller financing:- Buying a 0.3 acre downtown fort lauderdale multi family, negotiated an around 1M price w lot of development rights, double lot. seller got it way back early 90s for pennies- got good credit 800+, w2 job etc put 40% down and mortgage bank offered 6.62% 30yr fixed (CF negative as this would make current rent roll not too much compared to the PITI)- property is in ok condition, needs 20-30k repairs which seller OKd, and all 3 tenants are month to month, pay bit under market but also ok- seller would like to do seller financing, interest only at 5.75%, 30yr amortization at 7yr balloon (CF would be positive) - id be paying some principal as well, just to grow some equity- buying this deal for the future development of the area (las olas, kushner broward crossing) so not really worried even if we overpay for it now, but never done creative finance as i always relied on a strong W2 job to get good loans but obv im used to 3% 30yr rates from covid times not this 6+ environment..Goal is to hold the property 3-5yrs, and then actually develop it or sell half the land / refinance, pull out HELOC if it appreciates.Questions:1) What does he know that i dont? 

I'm sure you will need tools to find deals (eg price/sqft etc), estimate rents, calculate cash-on-cash returns, cap rate etc.

There are no laws restricting mark-to-market rents. 

What location?

We currently have a single family home we rent in the North End of Manchester.