If you are open to value add strategy, small multis have potential for not only traditional forced appreciation but also the ability to see major rent increases.  

hi. try radiators on the bottom walls in every room except the kitchen. try increasing the rents. try talking to the clients about the heat situation. try removing the heated baseboards. do something before something happens to you!

Rents in the area are strong, do you think it makes sense as a rental, or would you go all-in on the flip? 

If rents don't increase faster than inflation, you won't have sufficient funds to cope with rising costs.

But in general, your biggest risks are not necessarily what's the maximum rent you can get, but can you find a reliable tenant that will always pay and pay on-time.

Started renting it out in Summer of '24 when I first moved!

Mine rented in less than 15 days.)All in all, that gives me $140 a month for vacancy, CapEx, and repairs.

Finally, I used the Thumbtack app, and I made more progress in six days than I did in the past 75 days on painting, flooring, lighting install, HVAC repairs.I currently use apartments.com for my automatic rent collection, so that system is helpful. 

Buying a large new build home can also work well as a house hack as you can charge a premium rent, and generally most bedrooms built now a days have en suites (at least in my market).  

It would be mainly rented to alumni, parents of students and people exploring the area by the University of Florida.