think I over researched . and now i'm confused .

[Frank Durham]

are you better off when your new and green to getting duplexes and 3-4 bed units? or if you can swing in financially are you better off buying a complex? or say 16 - 24 units in a building? 

My theory is basically . One roof.. instead of 16 roofs.. or 8 roofs (Duplex).. repairs would be less??  etc. 

Everyone says . noobies should start out with 1 or 2 small properties etc.. 

I hate to waste time and money .. and if it's best to get a big complex or something full of units, cabins, condo's etc.. am I best off if I can swing it financially and just pay cash for a building full of units? if if at 1st i'm over my head..   I have friends who are contractors etc.. so I know I can call electricians, plumbers etc.. if need be. 

thanks

[Sarah Miller]

If I were in your position of having enough money to buy something outright, I would be buying SO much more with financing!!  Is there a reason you think buying everything outright is better than financing them and getting more?? I'm just thinking this way for simple math: 

You have $500k.  You spend it all on one 16 unit complex, after expenses you net $6500/mo

OR

You have $500k.  You buy FIVE 16 unit complexes at $500k each with 20% down.  After mortgage and expenses on all of them, you net approx $17,000/mo......

As for the risk aversion, I am just starting out and I wanted NOTHING to do with SFH. I thought they were a waste of my time and money. Although, I have a lot of real estate knowledge from growing up with a broker as a mother and a contractor as a father so... I was pretty ready to jump into the game head first with 2 duplexes right off the bat. It's been just enough for me. I'm staying busy, learning a lot, but not too crazy.