I would have to get with the property manager and mimic the exact plans they have set up in the lease, all of which were probably customized by the PM to get a few extra dollars.  

Living in one unit and renting out the others could offset a significant portion of your mortgage, giving you extra breathing room as the sole income earner.

If your average heating bill is $150, you may not collect enough in the winter months when the bill reaches $225 but you'll collect extra in the summer when it drops to $65.

If so, are your amenities worth the extra price?

You are not paying for their services and won't cost you anything extra anyways. 

Setting up direct bookings is a great way to save on fees, but you’re right—it requires extra effort to ensure everything runs smoothly.For vetting guests, start by asking a few questions when they inquire, like the purpose of their stay, how many people will be there, and if they’ve stayed in short-term rentals before.

After adding an extra bedroom and bathroom and rehabbing the house, I was well over budget.

If you don't have the extra cash, can you get creative with a private lender or partner stacked on bank debt? 

Most investors let the tenants pay down the mortgage and use extra money for their down payment on their next rental.  

But I also like Belize, Virgin Islands, Hawaii, Croatia, etc.