Mean while i would be building equity, and if rates do lower, or when the term ends, could refi for better rates and then maybe cash flow.My questions are:Is this too naively optimistic?

The old adage is "marry the property, but date the rate" meaning that if in a few years interest rates are lower you can refinance again into that rate. 5.

Getting the lower unit separately metered seems like a pain.

Even in a lower priced investment property, like a small SFR, what does the investor without a contingency fund do when say the ac or a furnace need replacement?  

They will be able to update you on what you need to do to help fire proof your home, and if there are any other options to lower insurance like external fire sprinklers, sealing up, attic vents, defensible space, etc.

In this market, I would not finance a first time flipper at 75% profit split because the profits and success rate is lower than the last dozen years.  

Congratulations on your impressive success since 2021—that's quite an achievement to have closed over 100 transactions in such a short time.

It also did not have a pool like your property so that would probably lower the desirability as well.

Also see if monthly gap might be lower as a mid- or short-term rental.

It seems to me that they all whether paid of free, will all have the same exact amount of houses because all the transactions are all public and so they seem to compete with each other based on the quality of the data of the houses, how up to date it is, and the user experience in configuring the how the layout is.