Budgeting with reserves: Roof, HVAC, and everything else that will wear out over time.Home warranty buyers = people bad at math. 

I've done the math on a few dozen of the buildings and individual units for buyers and have rarely found something that will truly make you more than a 4% cap rate.

The test is just law / maps/math / Agency to an extent ..

You have all the underlying math and ROI numbers in your pocket. 

I am just a little nervous with a buy and hold with concerns if I will get a tenant but then that's on me to do my homework up front.

As far as service providers, as I always tell my client's/everyone to get referrals that is great but, do your own homework and research all of your professionals regarding all you real estate needs since, you have to pay them and speak to them about all your expectations regarding your real estate needs for your personal properties.

Tell me a saving account that cand do that for you.Boss do more research in company credit fund-capital or Heloc vs Loan math. 

Regarding the "someone told me" thing, that shows you haven't done your homework. 

The math works for that buyer.  

Three units to maintain.Although I need to do the math, scenario 1 strikes me as more economical as there are shared costs gained with a multifamily property.