My wife and I are very excited about this opportunity and we have decided that we want to focus on 2-4 unit multi-family investments with the occasional SFH for buy and hold purposes.

Sure I have strong opinions, and occasionally I am forcefully and publicly WRONG.

Feeling nervous and occasionally sweaty palms thinking of going back to work tomorrow?

Then she just has to go to the box and collect the checks other than the occasional writing one to cover an expense.Good luck.Brian

I'm wrestling with the same decision myself, on a smaller scale (could sell for $170k or rent for $1200) Similar overall numbers, and by my rough estmate (rent X.7 to pay a manager and expenses including occasional vacancy) minus MTI, it'll have mild negative cashflow, offset by loan paydown.

Occasionally you will run across a listing that lists actual numbers.

I agree with Anson that a multi-unit would be great, and occasionally I see one that works for an owner occupier, but you could probably do just as well with a couple condos.  

If you're starting out and need a lower price point to get into a property, if you're not interested in maintaining mechanical or roofs, if you want managed costs (HOA's) versus the occasional big ticket cost (hot water heater fails), they can be a great option.  

Even though we has a good amount of savings, I was loathe to touch it because I didn't have a consistent way of making it grow (banks pay less than 1% and stocks are too volatile to count on stable growth).Now, with over a dozen buy and holds that cash flow well and some other passive income sources (dividends and notes), I feel less qualms about splurging occasionally because I know the passive income more than pays for it.

For me, the benefits that make it worth it are...1) Credibility with sellers, buyers etc.2) MLS access3) The option to list the occasional property if I want and earn extra cash through a comission4) Not having to rely on a realtor for  realtor related tasks like gaining access to properties for sale.