Need Advice for Transitioning Out of Renting -> Single or Multi?

[Mike Lukach]

Hello, new member here and am very interested in starting out in REI as I have been reading books, this forum, listening to podcasts, and scouring the market in my area.

My Situation:

• I am 29 years old with an income of around $100k/yr, but it requires a moderate amount of overtime. 
• I will have $25k saved for my first down payment and my credit is good at around 730-740 range. 
• My current apartment rent payment is $975 a month (like a bleeding wound). 
• I am single without any pets or children.

My Thoughts / Considerations:

It really is coming down to either purchasing a single family home, or multi-family home where I am stuck on deciding. 

I don't mind doing some rehab to the properties since it will force me to learn how to fix things which I will need to know for the future.

• Decent single family homes are within 120K-135K.
  
  • I have the option to put down 20% to avoid PMI.
    
• Decent multi-family units that are either duplexes or triplexes are 180K-200K.
  • This would invoke using either FHA or conventional with PMI, and unsure of cash flow stability vs vacancy % as my first property.

I will continue to research these options to see what would be best for me, but am wondering what you think about house hacking vs SFH for my particular situation?

The goal is figure out the best calculated risk balanced with velocity toward my second property. Thanks in advance!