From what I've been reading, cap rate is not a reliable metric for STRs.

And you'll have the best rate/points options with a primary residence.Option #2 is great, especially if you're willing to move into one of the units (because the down payment minimum is just 5% or 3.5% depending on program), but as you mentioned it's really tough here to find small multifamily here.

That it can impact your 5 star review more than what you can charge on a daily rate.

@Jay HinrichsPre-reo was owned by AHP servicing (plenty about them on here), this platform was homes that had yet to be foreclosed on (I think they were reverse mortgages) that they would sell and manage for investors.they would also finance it at 12%+ rates.

It got got a good rating (4.6), not that it is always a good indicator.

Managing it has been exhausting, especially with the tenant issues and LA’s landlord policies.Here are some details about the property:Purchased for $650k, with about $90k spent on renovations.Current Redfin estimate: $1.1M.Mortgage interest rate: 3%.Would selling it “as-is” during the eviction process make sense financially?

Affordable relative to the rest of the US so great place to work remote or just enjoy a reasonable life without being hugely cost burdened Cons: A lot of older than 1980s construction (you 100% can be successful with these properties just have more to check during due diligence) Need to be mindful of market rents in the area and not overspend on renovations where there is not ROI to do so, you can’t usually exceed $2 sf on rental rates and average price per sf is 1.25-1.5 sf (neighborhood, unit type, and finish level specific).KC is not a boom and bust market, you don’t get the high highs or the low lows.

Cleaner is paid a fixed rate for a specific job, you are paid a % of revenue.

Rates can be very similar to those of conventional financing (Fannie/Freddie - full doc loans that you will need to prove income to get), but typically a little higher than conventional financing. 2nd - Networking and partnerships! 

Real estate's "gross rent multiplier" is Wall Street's "sales to revenue",  "cap rate" is roughly "P/E ratio".When evaluating markets and investments I tend to start with GRM (or lazily the 1% rule), then attempt to return a cap rate based on assumptions about costs, then I work my way to multiple years of projections (assumptions about inflation, amortization, tax benefits, etc), and if I am partnering with one of my smart friends I have to pull up an IRR (internal rate of return).I also look at regional employment levels, median income to rent ratio in the zip code etc.