If you’ve decided that you want to shift some of your capital out of the stock market rollercoaster to take advantage of the many benefits of investing in real estate, it’s time to put on your investigator hat and dig...

That would also be a quick way that I can think of -- alternatively, you could get creative and leave a letter somewhere visible in case someone else does stop by. 

Alternatively one can sit and wait it out, or one could double down in their market, and though inventory is lower try to get more of the pie. 

Would you say this strategy should be more a diversification tool rather than a savings account alternative?

If you have a boiler for the baseboard  and its natural gas , I would stick with the window units .

I know your COC return should be much higher, but ive also heard in BP podcast that if its a buy and hold for cash flow sometimes you will have to wait a couple years to break even due natural market appreciation.

If you don't, maybe it's time to look at alternative investments. 

Heating costs go up in winter, as does electric due to the reduced natural light and people being indoors more.

It’s not no rent and free housing alternative.

One of the only ways to hit and maybe surpass that rule a little is to develop alternate income streams on the property, which you already alluded to.