One important detail is that my brother currently lives with us, and we are open to having him stay with us if we do make a purchase as a renter to help cover our mortgage.I see our main options as the following:1) Buying an SFDU to live in, and "house hack" with my brother continuing to live with us and pay rent2) House hacking with MFDU.

Has anyone found a property manager in south Florida (that covers Fort Lauderdale) that they really like? 

So what if the heloc amount is enough to cover 20% down on investment property and cover renovations.

Do searches on questions you might have before posting it to see if it has been covered.

It seems that all posters above are focusing on building code which is irrelevant decades later.Municipalities enforce the maintenance code in the present for preexistent structures.

Affordable Housing Incentives -While SB 9 encourages new development, it also includes provisions to protect existing tenants and preserve affordability.

I once rented a 5bed/3bath in two days, just a week before Christmas when the ground was covered with snow and ice.Sitting vacant in the winter increases the risk of frozen pipes or other expensive problems.

I may have to get a variance for the existing dwelling unit's parking requirement, but I believe I meet all the SB-9 requirements.

That would be a debt service cover ratio of 1.5.

The reality is that insurance will cover your 16-year-old's accident.