Financing question for Massachusetts Multi-Family Investors

[Michael Bronson]

Hi everyone,

I'm new to real estate investing and my local market is Boston, MA (don't even get me started on prices here).

I plan on living in the house and using a residential mortgage. For cash flow purposes, I would like to buy a property with as many units as possible. 

Given how much more advantageous residential mortgage terms are, I would like to stick with one and avoid a commercial loan. 

Some local real estate agents have told me that 4 or more qualifies as commercial in MA, but others have said it's 5 or more like the standard for the rest of the country.

Does anyone have experience in this market that can tell me which it is? 

Thanks for the help!

Michael