I want to maximize my cash flow for that first year and if I have the space available to me then why not.

Hard to say how to react anymore as we don't live in a capitalist system, we have crony capitalism; the fed just paid jeff bezos to fly into space. 

Commercial different universe.If a tenant wants to rent a space from me with my commercial property if they are Starbucks then happy to pay the leasing broker upfront when they go hard with the fully executed lease and non-refundable deposit.If it's Joe Schmo tenant wanting to go for their dreams and taking out a Heloc on their house and must be profitable in under 6 months or they go under that is a different world.

I am more confident in the equity space, but would like an opportunity to diversify. 

The owner is seeking a quiet, non-smoking responsible tenant to enjoy this great property.This unit is the only studio in the 02215 zip code with a deeded parking space.

I would like to install an egress window in a property so tenants can legally sleep in a basement space.

Since she is essentially liken to a new tenant that signed for the coming available space by herself, can the landlords hold her accountable for breaking her lease to a property that now has a squatter in it?

They lend in the STR space and may be able to help.

Also if you have to VA loans together, so you and a friends that has VA entitlement then you can get approved for a 6 unit with one commercial space. 

In inflated markets (a condition you can gauge by the increasing gap between asking/offer prices and the prices at which homes APPRAISE) profitability tends to shift away from buy-and-holding turn-key properties to favoring the rehab space of investing, flips and BRRRR.