First rental property in LA

[Othmane Rifki]

Hi there,

I am looking to purchase my first rental property and looking at the USC area in LA. I will live in this property for at least three years. My goal is to house hack or have a reduced mortgage payment by renting an additional unit. This will be the first time I purchase a home. 

As a complete beginner, I would appreciate feedback from the community on things to consider when looking at this particular geographical area and when purchasing a multi-family home in the next 6 months in today's difficult and expensive market and yet still come ahead by lowering significantly the mortgage payments or even breaking even. These are currently my goals with this first property.