I think the real estate professional strategy works if it is your primary source of income.   

I'm a small business owner and my partner has a corporate job. 

As the cleaning company continues to grow, I am looking to invest in real estate to create more passive income. 

A small multifamily property is a smart choice for a first investment—it offers a great balance of income potential and manageable scale for someone new to the space.Don’t worry about being ambitious; it’s clear you’ve done your homework, and you’re already ahead of the game by setting a clear goal.

This is how I see it:Single-Family Homes:Pros:Larger pool of potential tenants (families).Simpler management (one tenant, one lease).Often easier to finance.May appreciate faster in some markets.Cons:Only one income stream.Vacancy hits harder financially.Duplexes:Pros:Two potential income streams.Live in one unit and rent the other (house hacking!)

More on DSCR loans in case helpful: DSCR loans won't use your income to underwrite the loan.DSCR loans are based off of down payment, credit score and either actual or market rents so it helps to supercharge an investor's real estate goals and net worth.

A lot of our housing stock here has finished basements or in-law suites, so with something like that you can generate significant rental income for an inexpensive conversion. 

It's easier to scale with multifamily properties due to income potential and operations.

The northwest suburbs of Akron are the higher  income areas.  

Gross income right now is 2700.