Any asset you buy that provides income is an investment.Whether the home in your scenario is considered an investment or not really boils down to your goals with the property, but it also doesn't really matter.

Determine how much money would be needed to handle each risk, and determine if you have sufficient liquidity / cash flow to ensure you can “stay in the game”.This is of course in addition to all normal “due diligence”, financial forecasting, etc. 

Every local bank does dscr loans, 20yr term, with 3 or 5 yr rate reset, you might be able to get 25yr term but all will require personal guarantee to start and 3 yr historical financials.

Which niche is better for financial freedom?

I know a lot of our members who have assets in the market.All the bestGino

Great tools that get updated regularly.I am on the lending side of things and would be happy to hop on a call with you anytime to discuss financial strategies and help answer any questions you may have about nearly any loan product available to help you on your journey, even if they are not products my capital partners offer.We are all here to help you learn and grow.

STR rentals cashflow way better than LTR assets all things being equal.

They teach you how to raise capital from LPs while the GPs who are not required to incur debt manage the asset.

I look at the tenant's financial situation (income security) as a very important part of the property analysis. 

@Kevin Orellana do you like the asset; is it in a neighborhood that you are proud to own it, do you see it continuing to be a desirable place to live?