I think that duplex's are a great option if you're looking for that extra cash flow.

It may sound nice to pay a 6% management fee but the extra fees can add up to be more than the other company that charges 10% with no additional fees.

As an MTR I can get $2,200 but I need to pay an average of $200 for utilities and an extra $100 for vacancy reserves (I self manage so no increase there).

After fees and repayment of loans/repairs, you may walk away with an extra $10K max.

They're behind on the mortgage by a year and owe all kinds of extra fees that will make them upside down. 

It adds an extra element of complexity to the process (now you have to negotiate buyer-side commission as part of the deal). 

But IF the interest rates were close, I'd certainly consider it, just to deploy all that extra cash on more buys.  

Real estate investors are attracted to medium-term rentals to gain the benefits of extra cash flow versus long-term rentals while avoiding regulatory risks, high turnover, and intensive management of short-term rentals.While many investors are now turning to medium-term rentals to build their portfolios, the lending world has unfortunately been a little slow to keep up.

None of our leases expire in the winter because of the extra challenges of getting a qualified tenant at that time of year.  

While I've definitely made more in appreciation than I have in cashflow, I don't mind knowing that my properties pay for themselves and I also don't mind the extra $5-15k every month.