You would want to factor in for vacancy and repairs.

Not disagreeing that it doesn’t decrease a bit with each bedroom but 5k is incredibly low  Renting by the room does not factor into the appraisal.

Real Estate usually beats the stock market once you factor in "leverage" which is exactly what you are doing by getting the property financed.That's a long-winded way of saying put as little down on the property as possible while still making sure it comfortably has positive cash-flow.Here are 2 scenarios assuming you can buy at $285K1. 20% down @ 4% interestDown payment = $57KNet Operating Income = $1620 per month (per the screen shot you posted)Debt Service = $1400 a month including taxes and insuranceCashflow = $220 per monthCash on Cash Return = 4.6%2. 10% down @ 4% interestDown payment = $28KNet Operating Income = $1620 per month (per the screen shot you posted)Debt Service = $1662 a month including taxes and insuranceCashflow = -$40 per monthCash on Cash Return = 0%After running these numbers the triplex doesn't really look like such a great investment to me.

Hi Nick,Where will you do your residency and for how long is a question you should factor into this personal home buying decision.You have 2 years left in Fort Lauderdale and then residency training.A comfortable strategy that I have seen others apply is, in residency (as soon as financially possible) move up in comfort in life to a nice upscale large multi-family (in a great neighborhood) with all the amenities.

@Sierra Williams A lot of factors will go into this question.

Hey Jacob, make sure that the numbers work even after you move out of the property and rent savings is no longer a factor.

Perhaps but on the MLS you will not find anything that cash flows.But say you do find something that cash flows, I can almost guarantee that if you spent that same money in another market your cash flow would be substantially more even after factoring in property management.Now, our market has historically been one of the best appreciating markets in the country. 

@Joe Villeneuve We’re looking at the Indianapolis, IN and Memphis, TN markets at the moment based on several factors.

But appreciation factors aside, what's your minimum ROI you'll settle for and what are you currently getting?

There's a lot of factors that go into the base rent.