SFHs are easier to finance and manage but have limited cash flow and scalability.

I personally walked and researched every property prior to investing to understand what I was buying, what could be done to add value and what I should expect in cash flow and appreciation.Learning what makes a good investment for you is absolutely necessary. 

Out-of-state investing in cash-flow markets or partnering with experienced investors for passive returns are also great ways to put your capital to work.

You are correct that putting 3.5% down on a fourplex likely won't cash flow after one year.

Instead, they faced stagnant rents and rising expenses, leading to negative cash flow.### The House Hack I Wish I Had TriedIf I could do it all over again, I would have started with house hacking.

Since we're not in this 100% for the invesment, we're okay with a slightly negative cash flow.

On top of that, the rent-to-price ratios in Detroit often outperform other markets, which can mean solid cash flow alongside appreciation potential as the city continues to grow.The key with Detroit is understanding the nuances of the market—it has a large footprint, and neighborhoods can vary drastically, even block by block.

Lenders want to see income, not negative cash flow, even if the loss is just on paper from depreciation.

Possibly some questions to ask yourself: How much higher is the cash flow in Akron?

If so, this serves as a great example of how much the market has changed - if someone were to buy this property in 2025, it would have significant negative cash flow, whereas you have positive cash flow given the price point of purchase in 2021.