You must emphasis that you are playing by the guidelines as they have provided it.

While we should all be striving for good quality deals, what is good quality to one, is not the same for another, so as long as you are happy and getting positive cash flow, month after month, with little to no headaches, then your strategy is no better or worse than mine, just different.I am a little concerned, however, that you are putting a little too much emphasis on measurements that are really more appropriate for commercial deals (including multifamily). 

Emphasis on local is very important.

I have never been able to make properties like these pencil without placing a heavy emphasis on appreciation.

Not that big a deal in the grand scheme of things.... but I should have allotted more in the budget for deck repair and I wish I had put more emphasis on this in the original scope of work.  

I emphasis this to the tenants because its an issue here and most cities will fine me if they don't clear sidewalks quickly enough.

reasons: a. best entry- you see the 'big and pretty' space as soon as you open the front door- possibly through to the back yard b. separate master from other bedroomsc. widest great room- appears more spaciousd. mstr, 2, & 3 bedroom are flexible as where to put windowe. bd 4 has three different places to put the door, depending how you want to emphasis it as bed or office/denf. bath 2 is most easily accessible to main living area*worst thing is master entry through dining- no way- entry must be through nook- so juggle around the laundry and wic2# is not acceptable3# is ok but not as good as 1#- entry to hall, master next to other bed, great room skinnier, bd 2 & 3 only one side window choiceSpeaking as a 'housewife' instead of an investor- I would buy 1# 10 times out of 10- even if it had the master entry through the dining.

I went to college at North Texas in Denton and got a business degree with emphasis in real estate.  

The over-emphasis on cashflow actually distracted them from the things that come more intuitively, such as neighborhoods they already know are solid. 

It makes a lot of sense to me, but there is so much emphasis on MFH that it I've been torn trying to figure out my best strategy.