He has a good job now, and I hope that he'd stay clean, but when a person is under the influence of drug and alcohol, he's not himself.  

There can be many factors influencing the buildings value too much to just use a percentage estimation.

s point (And Bobs) in general, however in today's market virtually every factor that influences pricing has swung to one direction in Multi Family.

But, typically I've noticed many of the residential buyers base their purchase on their needs and can let their emotions get the best of them.Both require you to act in the best interest of your client, but there is much more black and white on the commercial side where numbers really drive investment sales pricing and can be influenced by micro and macro economic factors.If I were fresh out of college and living at home I'd get started on the commercial sales side.

When PoL (or others) make decisions about Property A that are influenced by events on Property B, how does this expose investors, and what is the liability of PoL to act in best interest of the investors?

Do this for a few months – you may want to take a real estate course to get your license – Attend REIA's – BUT do not trust the sales pitches you will hear – I don’t think you should spend your money on those programs – if you want to spend some money – get a mentor –The candidate for your mentor should be financial successful – in many phases of making money in real estate; auctions, tax sales, lead generations, contract engineering, assignments as well as the many creative clauses’ used to buy real estate.I think you will do well – take it slow and easy – don’t be influenced by big talkers – counsel with spouse – create credit lines – be ready with a form packets of contracts – assignment forms – notes – disclosures and blank checks – study and learn from others ------ AND HAVE FUN – your journey to a better income and more of what you want out of life is exciting and profitable.

One thing that might influence your decision is your beliefs on asset allocation.

Some brokerages will tell you sweet nothings because they know your sphere of influence will likely produce a couple of sales before a new agent peters out. 

Owner occupant, investment, or commercial would influence the down payment, term, variable or fixed, and interest rate.  

If they are only seeking a check every month and the largest amount possible based on the equity of this other property then sure it's a fine decision.A couple other thoughts though:With a smaller multi-family a vacancy is felt more financially than with a larger one, but the extent of that is influenced by the market's local metro and property location; andWhy not use some of the equity from the property to fund the purchase of the smaller one and then have two properties generate (probably) the same amount of income or more with debt service on both.