Quote from @Jonathan Cook: I agree with @Kevin Romines.

Quote from @Jonathan Cook: I typically use an overlay method, where I research the median value of an area, and then median rent of an area... voila!

I notice most lenders have a cookie cuter loan program of 20% down on a 2 to 4 units.

Bill Cook is teaching a pure options course this month in Tampa. https://billandkimcook.com/the...

Looking for suggestions for the lease that may be missed in a standard cookie cutter lease.

A fun fact about myself is that my wife and I started an At-Home Cookie Bakery specializing in fancy sugar cookies as our side hustle going on 4 years ago.

Right now it just looks flat, plain, boring and cookie cutter.

Since everyone's situation is different, there is no cookie cutter method for answering your questions but there are people who are trained in helping you setup a game plan. 

Your lender should not need you to propose specific properties to give you a idea of your affordability.Also, @Dillon Cook is right about the availability of duplexes.

The author has a puzzling way of looking at it.I can see his view point but, the way I look at it, homes come in 3 basic fit and finishes, plus we have location, neighborhood upkeep, and neighbors to look it.Regarding Fit and Finish, we can look at Basic, middle and (high end, which can go very high).A basic new home in a cookie cutter neighborhood is not as good as a 1970's custom high end home in a better neighborhood (Sales price will tell you that).it an apples to oranges comparison.Just my 2 cents.