The current option that we are looking at is buy, live in 1-2 months of the year, convert to MTR or STR for the other months (especially since we are flexible on our end). 

Talking of multifamily specifically, how is it that we are getting better cap rates if the prices have not really reset lower.

Red flags all the way around. 

First you need to learn to separate the following:Maintenance: usually things related to wear & tear or tenant damage.Repairs: usually broken items like doors & windows, caused by tenant or nature.Capital Improvements: usually expensive things that wear out: hot water tanks, furnaces, roofs, etc.The seller is correct that Repairs & Capital Improvement items should not be a factor for awhile (ALWAYS get your own inspection to confirm).

However, we are seeing far more activity in Nova Scotia for both investors and clients.

Even brokers in a rush to make quick money sometimes partner with unethical lenders, further perpetuating these issues.In real estate investment, we are all part of a larger team.

Today we are economically diverse and showing job growth in several sectors.Having said that, I am not an economist (or a fortune teller) so these are just my thoughts after having gone through the Great Recession and knowing how housing-dependent we were then.Melanie

People are so obsessed with the door count that they completely ignore what we are doing all this for. 

For US government purposes, our legal residence is a family member's home where we stay when we are in the US.Thanks for the DSCR info.

I know if I do not rent to students, we will not get even close to the type of rent we are looking for, but paying the mortgage with no rent is hard on my family and I.