Here's why:Future Cash Flow: Once your debt is paid off in three years, you’ll have a solid cash-flowing asset that can provide ongoing income.Asset Growth: Property values, especially near a university, tend to appreciate over time.Debt Reduction: You can leverage the rental income to pay off your debt, essentially using your investment to achieve financial freedom.However, personal comfort and risk tolerance play significant roles.

However, I've been having difficulty renting one of the rooms because I've noticed some of the potential renters are either super particular, end up wanting to live on their own or with one other person (I have one room currently rented), flake, or come up with an excuses for not meeting with me. 

My best connections and referrals here in Florida have come from in-person networking events.

What's the name of the position or person who can tell me exactly a price range for what areas of the duplex/triplex need to be fixed and how much they cost?)

If you can't keep control of your personal finances, you are highly unlikely to succeed in real estate investing.

We have started to think about selling the property and using the proceeds to buy another home in a more desirable area where we believe market and rent appreciation has greater potential for growth.

A lot of investors navigate this by using rental income to qualify rather than personal income.

So that is always dependent on personal emotion.

No idea how experienced the person who gave me the number was.

That I can set up for a personal goal.