No cash flow but equity, Is this ok?

[Saemi Jung]

I am looking to invest into my first tri or quadplex to start off my REI.

Since I want to buy a property in CA with less than 20% down (VA loan, no house hacking), I was just looking to build equity on the property even if it doesn't give me any cash flow first few yrs.

Is this ok? Or should I look for a different route? 

Also, is it bad manners to talk to multiple real estate agents? I heard this from a friend. 

Any advise is appreciated :) 

[Joe Villeneuve]

If you don't have CF in the first few years, you won't have it after that.  Why would you think that would change?

Equity is your cash, paid for (DP) and gifted (appreciation) that is locked up in jail.  CF is free money.  Negative CF says you are willing to pay your tenants to live in your property so that sometime down the road, future events you have no control over, will give you free money (appreciation), of which you can't be sure how much it will be, but you do know you will need to subtract all the negative CF from that potential appreciation, before you can declare a profit.

Talk to as many agents as you want.  Find a new friend.