Newbie in the Fort Lauderdale/Miami area looking for advice

[Quincy Gordon Jr.]

Hello BiggerPockets Community! 

I am excited to become apart of such a supportive community. My first day I was already talking with members about a REA in Freeport, Grand Bahama (where I am originally from). I am 20 years old and looking to do a house hack in Broward or Miami-dade county (close to FIU). I have been listening to the podcast daily, read rich dad poor dad in two days and currently reading the millionaire next door. Coupled with that I have been trying to take action like going to a real estate event and I meet with a real estate agent yesterday. I still feel kind of lost. 

This is sort of a rough draft of my plans, I would either like to get a multi-family (nothing bigger than a quadplex) or single family 3beds at least and house hack them for cash flow. 

Yesterday I realized while sitting with the realtor that I don't know what I should be asking them or how the interaction should go. We just sat in his office and looked at properties on his computer. I am guessing this is normal. And a lot of the properties were townhouse and condos which seem to be a big thing in the area of Miami I am looking at. I read how they are not the best investments because they do not appreciate well and I personally don't like the idea of HOA fees. But does anyone who has started off with Townhouse/condos and have been successful have any advice for me? Because I am thinking that a townhouse is not a terrible idea. I can get at least a 3 bed 2/1 baths and house hack that. But I still love the idea of owning my own home.

Well, this is my little introduction as a new member.  I hope we can have a great discussion and bring value to each other.