First Time Buyer - Buying a Duplex with a Family Member in Nashville

[Edward Kenna]

Hello BP Community!

I'm a 26 year old living in San Francisco and am very eager to start investing in real estate but the market here is too unfamiliar and expensive for me right now.  I am interested in investing in some real estate in the South, where I'm originally from.  My sister currently lives in Nashville and is looking to buy her first home in East Nashville.  

We're exploring the idea of purchasing a duplex/triplex together so she can live in one unit while we rent out the other unit(s).  Has anyone else invested in real estate using a similar strategy?  I'm curious of some ways we can structure the investment so we can split the down payment and any necessary capex, but I won't participate in paying the mortgage each month.  

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!