Rehab Duplex or Buy Single Family Home

[Miesha B.]

I am a new investor and very much interested in learning as much as I can about buying and holding mult-family properties.  However as I am developing a clear organized plan for how to best position myself to make this a reality within the next year, I have a dilema.  I have growing family 2 adults 3 kids and we do not own a home - we are renters :)

 Would it be smarter to: 

1. Purchase a duplex or suitable property that can be transformed into a duplex AND rehab it as needed (so it will be comfortable for us for at least 2 years). 

2. Purchase a seperate single family home for us (using a VA LOAN) which will likely require a small or no down payment THEN set up an LLC and look into purchasing a multifamily unity such as a duplex for my 1st investment property.