I agree that the current environment is incredibly inefficient and ripe for disruption, but just because something is different doesn't mean it's smart or that it will work.

Smart locks are good for this, until they aren't : ) But if the tenant has wifi you can do smartlocks and give codes to contractors that are good for X hours then expire.  

They say "necessity is the mother in invention" ....... but your timeframe for invention is tough so let's be honest. 1.There are no good choices made under duress. 2.

Depending on the property and financing type, an LLC might be a good choice.

-Is buying a multifamily on/near college campus generally a smart decision?

Hey friends Wish I was smart enough to be giving this answer but I’m here for wisdom insteadwe are down in San Diego, and what’s happening with prices and inflation drove us to buy a duplex in South Park. 

currently HELOC rate is at 3.00%, down from 3.99% a month ago when the 6 month initial lock ended (i have over 9 years left on my draw period). now the rate is variable. the bank is hinting that the rate on the mortgage will be around 3.5% fixed. i don't qualify for traditional mortgage on my dti (but i do double my income with overtime and bonuses, and my wife will have a new income as well once we relocate) so our family friend is cosigning on the mortgage with me. the bank is writing it internally at 15yr with a choice between amortized or balloon. the building will need a new roof in about 5 years, and leaving $35k in the HELOC for that would keep me happy, so i'm willing to go up to $100k down payment if it makes sense. that would change my loan to $179k from $223,200, but also would tap any funds i might have for improving the property other than the roof, like fencing in the backyard and converting the third floor to its own unit. the new rubber roof would be more like $20-$25k but i like to be conservative. i have heard of people using their heloc to pay down their mortgage principal, which i could also do, but it seems to be a gimmick, and even if not may it be easier to just get a smaller loan amount to start?

Not many choices of PM's in less populated areas.

The warranty company was Choice Home Warranty.

My partner and I love working with investors, and we enjoy advising them on estimating market rents, loss to lease, expected return on this vs. that renovation choices, etc.