I've wondered, during a downturn, when fewer people can no longer afford to buy, if demand for rental homes increases leading to raising rents.

On the downside risk side of things I'd try to ensure that nothing substantial has changed with regards to consumer metrics and preferences. 

Pro tip: take particular care to cover book shelves—removing dust from our books was one of the most time-consuming cleaning jobs we faced. 2.Pack as though you will be travelingThink carefully about everything you will need over the full duration of the renovation (plus the inevitable extension) when packing.

It’s easier with 5+ unit as there are fewer guys doing a larger % of the deals where as with 1-4 family there are a billion brokers. 

You'll have the ability to get out if it's not right but at some point you just have to take the plunge and hope you make fewer mistakes than you expect and come out ahead. 

Actively re-starting about 2 1/ years ago in RE investing we began to consume a lot of material on investing (podcasts, books, etc.), the end result being we took our eyes off the ball to the deals that were right in front of us!

@Adrian Moreno I highly recommend you outsource something that's simple and time consuming like this.

You'd be amazed at how few investors and even fewer agents know how to. 

Compared to a 4 plex, a 4 plex usually will cash flow better than a duplex but management of that type of property is generally more time consuming than a duplex.

Lots of consumer protection laws.