It's been great - the property is 100% paid off and the house is worth 300-340k generating approx $2300/mo (that's after utilities/management fees etc.)I'm considering selling the property to buy 3 more within the same price range in the same market. 

Absent them, risk is controllable over time.I self manage a SFH in the Bay Area in a very pro-tenant city (some cities are a little less pro-tenant than others).

I told everyone about it for three months, then one day, an agent came to me with exactly what I was looking for and it was one of my best investments.Spend some time learning to manage well.

I do not use a property management service to advertise and have always used Zillow to advertise, previous references, housing records, credit checks etc

It's a nice place but in a small town it can be tough to find a good property manager.

In his experience, Memphis’s higher-than-typical rent-to-price ratio sounded great in theory, but property management turned out to be a huge factor-especially if you’re not local.

If you end up having a vacancy with no cash flow, it hurts much more than when you are able to offset with cashflow from your other properties.I would recommend seeing if you are able to diversify a bit with some local or out of state properties that do cashflow some, even after Property Management, that way you could start to support these homes.

I have managed STRs for 10 years in Los Angeles, so I understand the business and operations.

@Tove Fox - Residential Real Estate InvestingPros:Lower Entry Costs: Easier to get started with less capital required.High Demand: People always need homes, making demand relatively stable.Easier Financing: Mortgages are generally easier to secure with favorable terms.Simplicity: Easier to understand and manage, especially for beginners.Flexibility: You can use it as a personal residence or rent it out.Cons:Tenant Turnover: More frequent turnover leads to vacancy and more management.Lower Cash Flow: Income potential can be modest compared to commercial properties.Emotional Buyers: Residential prices can be influenced by emotions, leading to price volatility.Maintenance Burden: Landlords often deal with repairs and maintenance, which can be time-consuming.Commercial Real Estate InvestingPros:Higher Income Potential: Stronger cash flow and higher returns are common.Long-Term Leases: Tenants often sign longer leases (3-10 years), reducing vacancy risk.Professional Tenants: Business tenants tend to take better care of the property.Valuation Based on Income: Prices are based on the income the property generates, not market emotions.Shared Costs: Tenants often cover property expenses like taxes, insurance, and maintenance (via triple-net leases).Cons:High Entry Costs: Requires more capital or partnerships to get started.Complex Management: More expertise is needed; you may need a professional property manager.Economic Sensitivity: Commercial properties are more sensitive to economic conditions.Challenging Financing: Securing financing can be harder, with stricter terms and higher interest rates.Zoning and Legalities: More complex regulations compared to residential properties.Key Differences:Risk: Residential tends to be lower risk, while commercial offers higher rewards but with greater risk.Management: Residential is easier for DIY investors, while commercial properties usually require a team.Scalability: Commercial properties are easier to scale, offering more potential for significant cash flow increases.

You also need to educate yourself on how to manage an investment property.