If i am not mistaking, Landlord is responsible to provide drinking water, functional plumbing, cooking Stove, and heating.

However, he was responsible for showing apartments, handling all repair issues, seeing that rents were paid on time, keeping the outside areas and hallways clean, etc..Because he was always "on call" 24/7 (and my mom was expected to help out with the cleaning) he was given the basement apartment to live in rent free in exchange for a small salary (which is why he managed three buildings; one would not generate enough income for the family).Perhaps your applicant doesn't want to live in one of the properties he manages.Gail

As an agent, I have a fiduciary responsibility to my buyer or seller in the purchase and sale of a property. 

SFR — advantages, generally better appreciation, tenants do not fight, fewer things to “referee,” tenants take more responsibility generally when they have control of the whole property.

Thanks for the response.

Thank you for all the great responses!

thank you for your all kind response,!

You could make the tenants paying the electricity their responsibility and require that the bill be placed in their name(s) on the lease.

@Peter BowenThank so much for your response.

My response would be to use your 401K money to purchase the 4-plex.