By the time I reach 20% equity (likely 3+ years away), my monthly mortgage payment will come down when I refinance, but $600 is a big hit to the numbers. 

They don't care about the 20 year old HVAC unit or a 10 year old roof.

If the new administration actually enacts their policy stances on tariffs, immigration, trying to ignite the economy even more....all of those things add up to higher inflation.

A little over 15 years ago, in the late spring of 2009, I was a brand spanking new real estate agent coming off of a miserably failed real estate investment venture.

The item that I hate shopping for the most is dressers, and nothing else comes remotely close. 

House hacking can certainly be a great way to build equity and reduce living expenses, but it’s essential to have a cushion in case your rental income doesn’t come in as expected or renovations take longer than planned.

Keep them coming :)

The biggest reason I would advocate for mixed use is for the reasons you mentioned, the leases are longer, but also the general "issues" around tenants on the residential side don't come into play as much or at all. 

Also, I grew up in the Rochester area and if you want to be investing in real estate I'd recommend you get out of NY now while you're young. 

The fund allows for money to come in and sometimes go out as needed.