first property investing

[Hao Pham]

Hi everyone, I'm a new in this community and living in Houston, after reading few books about REI, now i would like to take action with my first property. However, There are some issues that I am wondering:

1) Right now I'm renting a room for couple hundreds/month of a relative, should i buy first property as SFH or Duplex? and Do i have to live there when i buy it? because i think if i still live with my relative, i can rent out my first property

2) i just have 1099 job with small saving , am i possible for loan home? or anyway i can get low down-payment?

Can everyone give me some advice that i can make decision easier ? I'm willing to getting knowledge.