It was in rough condition, which limited competition and made it a strong candidate for the BRRRR method.Negotiation: After analyzing comps and repair costs, I negotiated a $420,000 purchase price, which was below the market value for similar properties in the area.

we just see new investors in the forums blown away when they hit their fix big capex - a new roof, a new furnace, a driveway repair, a couple appliances going at once. 

If you can rent 3 units for $2,000 you are close to breakeven.On the plus side, you will have a highly attractive asset and several decades without much cost of capex and repairs. 

It doesn't cover any loss of income due to your rental being repaired.

Quote from @Basit Siddiqi: I personally would not buy real estate with a retirement account.There are just too many headaches that are not worth the potential increased return.Some headaches when it comes to investing in real estate with a retirement account1) LTV values are less and harder to find lenders.2) Potential to sell or partially distibute the property if you have to do a RMD(Required Minimum Distribution)3) If you run out of cash and have to make a major repair, you may be out of luck and have to sell.4) Having to potentially worry about UBTI(Unrelated Business Taxable Income)I would personally invest in stocks/bonds/notes with a retirement account.I buy deals with cash and use a ROTH SDIRA so there are no RMD's.I buy at huge discounts to retail.

Some numbers:Expected 2026 income after raising rents to market value and assuming 7% vacancy: $144k.Expenses: $14k property management, $18k property tax, $10k insurance, $10k utilities, $8k in repairs/maintenance/advertising/admin/etc: Total operating expenses: $60kNOI: $84kBased on 6% cap rate that brings the valuation to only $1.4m, or $1.5m based on 5.5% cap rate.

Even once you have a unit going well a huge repair or tenant default with inadequate CapEx reserves swiftly returns it to negative cash flow.

Normal repairs are absolutely NOT covered by insurance.

Since the price of a multi unit is double or sometimes 3x the price of a single family home, would it be smart to start off with a SFH and scale up from there or just make the leap into a duplex that I can force some appreciation with minor repairs.

I thought I could solve the vagrant problem by buying and repairing the buildings.