Enjoy the journey!

I plan on using it as an STR when I'm not enjoying the mountain views.

Give both of them a notice and explain they are entitled to quiet enjoyment of their space and when quiet hours are (look up your local info for the city). 

I have lived in NE for a while now and enjoy it a lot. 

And with that, the same power of math that makes multis enhance returns, can work equally in revers to enhance losses.

We are hoping to hold it for the long term as we are in Austin suburbs where appreciation  has been great however not sure what our actual holding period would be. as we are going to be in the house for only a year or two before renting  I’m not sure whether I should spend that money in the house just to enjoy the new bath for a short time.

Great question, I'm glad you've enjoyed your visits to San Diego. 

But, like everyone else; my goal is to have multiple properties.At what point did everyone begin to enjoy the fruits of cashflow rather than save it and roll it towards another DP on the next property?

If things don't work out you simply terminate your leasehold interests, but if things do work well and you enjoy working with the current owner you put yourself in an ideal position to put very favorable seller-financing in place down the road since you are the one that has been managing the building, removing his tenant headaches, and already sending him a check each month.

I enjoy seeing things work out and growing them