I have managed quite a few medium size multi as well and while there are good things it is certainly a different animal on all fronts. 

I kept a few rentals medium term in Charleston one on Amherst which was a converted and made it into a 4 plex plus built 2 unit behind it .

What if a more creative rental strategy (rent by room, medium/short term rental) were used?

@Tom KuslikisI agree with everyone else here, but keep in mind, this isn't just for medium term rentals!  

I don’t know that buying an STR is difficult as the author (with a bias) suggests.that said, as an STR owner, I personally love the medium, however I think legislation will be such a battle over the coming 5 years that it’s hard for me to blanket recommend them. 

I am interested in the small - medium multi unit and SF residential properties in the Midwest market for a start.

Or why would they not price drop to be competitive in the area where the size of the home medium prices are around 550k.any good insight would be great to hear.

Direct Mail 🔥Direct mail is the classic direct to seller medium to be able to send you message out there.

I planned going from a medium term unit to short term and the license fee is $1,000 (due by Jan 6) and I likely won't be paying it and going that route as I personally won't make much more on the STR over current MTR rents to make it worthwhile for me. 

Come by with a laser measure and see, there are some that are tighter and others that are bigger (or use google earth, but I think it’s worth visiting to see how they feel at different widths).