that we’ve learned in our 24 years, managing almost 700 doors across the Metro Detroit area, including almost 100 S8 leases:Class A Properties:Cashflow vs Appreciation: Typically, 3-5 years for positive cashflow, but you get highest relative rent & value appreciation.Vacancy Est: Historically 10%, 5% the more recent norm.Tenant Pool: Majority will have FICO scores of 680+ (roughly 5% probability of default), zero evictions in last 7 years.Class B Properties:Cashflow vs Appreciation: Typically, decent amount of relative rent & value appreciation.Vacancy Est: Historically 10%, 5% should be applied only if proper research done to support.Tenant Pool: Majority will have FICO scores of 620-680 (around 10% probability of default), some blemishes, but should have no evictions in last 5 yearsClass C Properties:Cashflow vs Appreciation: Typically, high cashflow and at the lower end of relative rent & value appreciation.

It's also possible that inheritance tax will be more aggressive or more lenient in the future. 

Most generate their wealth through appreciation, not cash flow.You are an attorney and presumably make a decent living so this should be viewed as a passive investment, correct?

They could self manage for several years, using the rental income, until the next phase of their retirement.If they have a decent amount of financial discipline, they may want to get a HELOC now before they build to get the most favorable rate.

Hey @Cameron MarroPersonal Loan or Line of Credit: If you have decent credit, a personal loan or line of credit could give you access to the cash you need for renovations without using your property as collateral.

If you do, you should expect a very aggressive challenge by the IRS.At $350K of combined value it might be worth the cost to get a segregation study if you intend to keep these a long time.

to your point, if you save up so that you're in a strong financial position, house hack a solid duplex in a decent neighborhood, make smart decisions, and hold it indefinitely, you'll be fine.conversely, if you have $0 and somehow start out with a risky flip, or borrow $20K and spend it all on a magic mentoring program, or buy a terrible property in a neighborhood you've never been to, you may not be fine.

That said, if you can afford it and have the reserves, and more importantly think you have a decent chance of increasing revenue with the vacant units then I'd probably go for it.

Typically, you can get up to 80 or 75% of the as-is value as long as the property cash flows, and you have a decent FICO Score.

The warm months are now approaching but, for the future, I'd suggest coming in aggressively low during winter months and looking for an 18 month lease to start - that way you'll renew in a better pricing period and see some income while you wait rather than spending three months with none.