If the insurance is higher, like in a flood zone, or hurricane zone the net will be lower. 

DSCR or Fannie/Freddie loans can go up to 75% on single family homes, multi family homes (2-4 unit) max at 70% if you stick with Fannie/Freddie.Other things to consider would be:Paying points for a lower rate vs higher rate with no pointsIf going DSCR - Prepayment penalty term (0-5 years)The lower the loan size ($200-250k and lower), you should consider paying up to 2 points and doing a 5 year prepayment penalty if going DSCR.

The Heloc can also pose as a debt obstacle since its an open end mortgage a.k.a credit card.a mortgage is also set up over 30 years so it offers a lower rate and payment. 

ci=Bismarck&st=Nor...This will help you determine how much demand there is and whether or not you can charge enough to cover your expenses and hopefully produce some cash flow for you.

Longer tenancies mean lower turnover and vacancy costs, so two single-family homes usually generate more reliable income and higher net cash flow than a fourplex.Vacancy risk: A fourplex has four times the vacancy risk of a single-family home.

Financing can be expensive and difficult to find.  

There are some zip codes where you can indeed get above market rent with S8 (even after deducting utility allowance), but some where they are lower.

But as far monthly payment you could easily buy a house in a cheaper location have less roommates and the same monthly payment or the same number of roommates and a lower monthly payment.

Just google the following: - special assessment - zombie condos - Florida condos (look for recent news)Since you are not living near the properties anyways, why not look in a landlord friendly state where the purchase prices are lower?

You can surely buy cheaper properties and obtain the same debt pay-down, but now you've got 5x the head-ache, so right asset class is more about efficiency when it comes to debt pay-down.Tax shielding is similar concept in that more expensive properties directionally give you more building basis to depreciate, which means less net income to tax.