First time house hack tough market

[Reid Kelley]

First time home buyer looking to house hack in the Napa valley where we live. Looking into a multi family property, to buy. we have secured private funding for a cash deal then refinance with a first time home buyer loan. So we are searching the MLS looking for distressed properties as we know the area well but this market is higher than any. Our goal is to get our first home and stay mortgage payment free while learning to manage properties for the first time, then to take that experience and invest in the more lucrative out of state areas. I still haven’t worked out our exit strategy as I don’t foresee being able to afford a home in the area without other income from tenets for a while but we are starting a family and would like to have a more private living situation. Any thoughts or suggestions into getting into our first property and areas to focus. Deals are hard to come buy and most will still require some cash towards the mortgage.