When the economy turns sour, lower rents will have less pressure to downside, therefore increase layoffs will affect higher rents than lower rents.  

The city's diverse economy and relatively affordable home prices contribute to its market stability.

I was thinking about economies of scale with adjacent properties.

If mortgage rates drop into the 5s, it's because the economy is suffering and that will impact demand.

So, for example, if we go to war with Russia they could use that as an impetus to implement rent control for a short time to stabilize the economy to support the war effort.I'm guessing they used the federal governments responsibility to provide for national defense as authority for creating this TEMPORARY law under EMERGENCY circumstances. 

Market Selection Criteria: To choose the right market, consider factors such as:Economic Growth: Look for markets with strong job growth, a diverse economy, and increasing population.Rental Demand: Identify areas with high demand for rentals, which can be indicated by low vacancy rates and high rent-to-price ratios.Affordability: Ensure the market offers properties within your budget that also meet your cash flow and appreciation goals.Property Management Quality: Verify that there are reliable property management companies in the area to handle day-to-day operations, especially if you are investing from a distance.Comparative Market Analysis: Perform a comparative market analysis to compare potential markets.

MF houses provide improved cash flow, economies of scale, and faster portfolio development, but they may not appreciate as quickly.

The scale of economy in this route is very appealing and offers a different kind of stability and growth potential.I’m equally interested in both options.

In a city like San Antonio, with a serviced-based economy, where over 50% of the population rent, and 17.6% live below the poverty lie, this creates rent-to-income spatial mismatch that's not sustainable. 

If it's a 4-plex I'd increase those numbers because of the lack of economy of scale.