Is it best to keep the unit vacant to avoid any issues with tenants being able to make the rent payment and take advantage of the federal multi family loan forbearance?

This is a great house hack that should be taken advantage of if you can handle managing 3 tenants plus your roommate!

You are taking money that was earning money in a tax advantaged account and moving it somewhere that it will be taxed, which I'm generally not a fan of.

But it also makes tenants think of me as a great landlord and they're less likely to take advantage of the eviction moratorium that is happening in Atlanta.

And yes there are bad apples in wholesaling that are unethical and take advantage of sellers but there are some of the same type of people that are agents and in any other profession.  

As the market crashes, I am assuming that the real estate market will follow in the next 1-3 years, and I would like to take advantage of the dip in real estate value.

If it’s the latter, are you resourced/ready to take advantage.

Nonetheless, if you have a recession proof job (i work in military contracting) you will have an advantage. 

MFR have a few big advantages: Economies of scaleLower per-unit priceReduced effort to manageOnce you go 5+ units you have the additional advantage of being able to force appreciation.

Also we have a really great rate on it and refi-ing would not be advantageous since when we refied a few years ago we were owner occupants and now it's an investment property so the rate would be higher.I ended up going with a HELOC through 1st Bank and should close this week.