Fha for multi-unit or Conventional for SFH

[Brendan O.]

Dear BP,

I have two options to get me started as an investor. One is to buy 4 units with an fha(3.5% down) and most likely break even each month after paying omi, taxes maintenance etc. The other option is to buy a single family with 5+ bedrooms and rent out the rooms to pay the mortgage, Good cash flow is likely. I will need to put down 20% though of which a relation will give me 10%). What do you think is the better option for my long term goal of being a buy and hold investor? If I do the fha first maybe I could buy a singe family after with my relation giving me 10% of a deposit. Cant pass up a 0% interest loan. Im in san francisco and its expensive here.