Duplex vs 4plex for first time REI???

[Leslie Crosten]

Hi everyone!

I am new(er) to REI, have been doing a lot of learning in the background for a couple years. I recently had a deal on a duplex fall through (seller reasons)... so now I am back on the hunt for another small multi-family (we really want to house hack for at least a year, hence the multi family).

I am wondering if we were to find a good cash-flowing 4 plex (using bigger pocket calculators), would be at all unwise or “too risky” to go with a 4 unit to start off with vs continue looking for a cash flowing duplex, and maybe next year scale up to a 4 plex.

Any thoughts on pros and cons would be appreciated very much!!!