Single family vs. Duplex?? I'm totally new real estate investing as this will be my first property. I'm just not sure whether to start with single family or multi-unit. The catch is I'm planning to go the SHORT-TERM rental (airbnb) route with my buy and hold strategy. My goal is CASH FLOW CASH FLOW CASH FLOW and LOWER RISKS as a first time buyer with little funds. So I'm aiming for CASH FLOW to build my portfolio quicker.

SINGLE FAM Scenario 1: The single family home 3bd/2ba home could get me $27K/annually via airbnb ideally without considering non-peak season and I'd want this single family only for short-term rental purposes only; not long-term. Plus I can take advantage of the 3% conventional loan for First time buyers.

DUPLEX Scenario 2: I can get a Duplex (2bd/2ba each unit) and make approx. $13K/annually if I long-term rent one side and short-term rent the other side. With duplex you have more options/diversity on the short-term/long-term rent so I can get the experience of both worlds and I think more security in knowing that I have one long-term tenant on the other side. The plus is I get the 3.5% FHA loan. If I choose to go duplex first; then I'll never ever ever get to take advantage of the 3% conventional first time buyer perk for single family. If I choose the single family, I believe I can always get my 2nd property with the FHA 3.5%. So, Whew! That was a mouth full.

P.S. I've already done my research on the "best locations" for STR (short-term rental) in my area and crunched the numbers and did my homework which is how I got my estimated the numbers above.

AirBNB - Single Family Or A Duplex? First Time Buyer.

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