So it really comes down to buying now at a lower price, or waiting for rates to drop to buy at a higher price. 

I have started to make offers on some deals in Columbus, hopefully should be able to close on one within the next 2-3 months if not sooner.

You’re on-site for maintenance issues or tenant concerns, which cuts down on the hassle of traveling to a separate location.Loan Accessibility: Getting a mortgage for a duplex can be easier than financing other types of investment properties because you can use the potential rental income from the second unit to help qualify for the loan.Tax Benefits: Owning a rental property can open up opportunities for various deductions like mortgage interest, property taxes, operating expenses, and depreciation.Disadvantages of Investing in DuplexesPrivacy Issues: Living so close to your tenants means less privacy.

Some base their decisions strictly on numbers and do not care about the area, while others are okay with a lower yield but focus on the city and even specific neighborhoods.

But by the time I closed the deal I changed my mind (wink wink) and rented the property...” 

I don't have any padsplit though for reasons I'll tell.You will be mostly wrong assuming padsplit is lower effort, hours / week managing vs airbnb.   

Anything lower than 6 would be an indicator for higher-than-normal home price appreciation in the next 6-12 months.This is why even as interest rates increased at the fastest rate in 40+ years in 2023 and have stayed at that level, home prices have continued to appreciate.The media has been calling for a real estate crash for a while now and it hasn't happened and most people can't figure out why. 

This has worked out well for me, but you do have to be close enough to stop by.

Yet because my house is in a close radius to the beach (only 2.5 miles as the crow flies--the 7 miles is what it takes to a drive out, around, then over the bridge), it seems like PriceLabs is using on-the-beach or walk-to-the-beach properties as comparables, and this may be leading to dynamic prices that are too high.I am not sure exactly how to fix this.

Don't forget your Follow up process, Cold calling consistently will produce good leads but, for us, the first contact to closed deal is longer than some of the other forms of marketing and FU is the difference maker.