You'll likely also reduce your cost of living by moving to a stabilized apartment.Depending on the cashflow and debt paydown, you can use this strategy until you've built enough equity to reinvest.On the other hand, getting into a multi-family after refinancing will also help you build substantial equity to rinse and repeat in the coming years.

I also had horrific PMs, particularly involved with a 48 unit apartment complex in Houston.  

@Daniel GrantzRecommend you first figure out the property Class you want to invest in, THEN figure out the corresponding location to invest in.Property Class will typically dictate the Class of tenant you get, which greatly IMPACTS rental income stability and property maintenance/damage by tenants.If you apply Class A assumptions to a Class B or C purchase, your expectations won’t be met and it may be a financial disaster.If you buy/renovate a property in Class D area to Class A standards, what quality of tenant will you get?

Prioritize your financial stability.

One major things to consider that many newer investors miss with 5+ units, is that if you intend to hold, the property will need to be at least 75% occupied and stabilized before you will be able to find reasonable financing terms. 

@Chase AlexanderRecommend you first figure out the property Class you want to invest in, THEN figure out the corresponding location to invest in.Property Class will typically dictate the Class of tenant you get, which greatly IMPACTS rental income stability and property maintenance/damage by tenants.If you apply Class A assumptions to a Class B or C purchase, your expectations won’t be met and it may be a financial disaster.If you buy/renovate a property in Class D area to Class A standards, what quality of tenant will you get?

.✅ Master Lease Option (MLO): Take control of the asset with an option to buy after stabilizing revenue—especially useful if the property is underperforming.✅ Equity Earn-In: Offer the seller a minority stake (e.g., 10-20% ownership) instead of cash up front.2.

Long-term rentals offer great stability, but mid-term rentals can be a fantastic balance of higher returns with less turnover.

I am glad you highlighted the management piece as this is a crucial part of buying in another market.Excited that you are stabilized and are generating cash flow on that deal. 

Hard money lenders (HML) typically want to ensure you have the financial stability to handle the property and loan repayment, so proof of liquidity is a common requirement.