If you're that concerned, request to tour their current home and see how they keep it.

In your opinion, which would be more advantageous:  A couple of lower-priced rentals, or one more expensive investment with a larger ROI in a relatively well-insulated market?  

Disney World area in Florida is still viable in certain segments, larger bedroom counts with heavy theming still do really well.

If the home was a single family their interest would still be protected values in the areas are up.

Unless you plan to sell your home soon, cash out refi it.  

We raise capital for larger syndication type deals but maybe some of the content will be helpful.

I've seen some logical points made that under estimating Cap Ex may not be realized until many years later when a few larger than expected expenses eat up years of "cash flow".

You can buy an almost new or brand new single family home here in Arizona for $250-300k, combine taxes and insurance of under $2k per year, rent for $1500-1800, will break even on cash flow with 25-30% down because there is no maintenance or cap ex since it's new (you will have these eventually but rents will increase by the time that happens).

Buy a solid home, in a solid location where you can break even or cash flow a little and that will appreciate well over the long-term. 

To help you get started with home hacking, consider the following advice:1.