Los Angeles single family vs multi-family

[Michael Avillion]

My wife and I are moving to LA for two yrs. Looking to buy and hold investment property to start building long-term wealth. I am low risk, like stability, and plan on getting a property manager early on when needed. This is my first property. We plan to live in a safe area, 3 bed 2 bath.

I don't need the cash flow currently, but I don't want to pay 84K in rent over 2 years when I could be building equity. I have the VA loan, so downpayment isn't an issue.

Any good resources to decide multi-family vs single family home? Or any advice?  I have already reached out to a few realtors and property managers in LA (waiting to discuss with a few this week), and read "Long Distance Real Estate" currently reading "Real Estate investing for dummies". I know that single family has more stable and long-term renters with less turnover, not rent controlled in LA? (I read this on Norada website), likely appreciates more, and is easier to sell. For this reason, and the fact that my wife would rather live in a single family than a unit in a multi-family, I am inclined to single family.  I am just trying to get as much input as I can to make the decision. 

[Tim Grich]

To clarify on rent control.... The entire state is rent controlled, but some cities have stricter versions than the state wide provisions.