Quote from @John Paul Palace: Our plan was to invest locally, however our market here is tough.

Considering recent market insights, reallocating your $300K brokerage account into a multifamily property while keeping your townhouse rented could be advantageous.Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway has accumulated a record amount of cash, suggesting a cautious stance due to potential market overvaluation.

Quote from @Brendan Jones: For the homes, and or properties that you will use as a primary or a rental property one big thing I look for is infrastructure in the area, extrinsic value (I.e. hospitals in the area, schools, and job market), and the last thing is creature comforts for people (I.e. is a store to get groceries 1 hour away or 2 minutes away).

I have two long term rental units now (6 years) and just exited a short term rental last year due to a good off market offer.  

One unit is remodeled and empty and the other is not and has tenants paying way under fair market value ($700). 

Hey guys,  Im thinking of shifting my traditional checking/saving account and mortgage to a manulife one account which my broker has suggested so I can be ready to pounce on a house and properly conduct the yellow letter direct marketing offering cash when they want it. 

This means having to take a chance and take the property off the market for 2 weeksOption 2- Accept the offer with a provision that allows you to continue to market the property, knowing that there's a chance FHA may not fund the deal. 

When considering pivot strategies like converting a flip to a rental or utilizing short-term rental (STR) platforms, it's essential to conduct a thorough market analysis before making such changes.

I would say you should start off by just meeting multi-family investor-friendly agents who can help get you started with 5 units search and work on finding you off-market ones as well Thanks Kerlous!

I don't know if shifting to MTR could generate greater interest but it doesn't solve the marketability issue and all you are doing is punting the root issue down the road.