Because this is 5 units, you will likely need commercial financing (or some other type of financing), which is a slightly different animal. 

Don't send me any yellow letters, they just go to the trash, LOL.Marie is absolutely right, learn to network with those that encounter distressed note situations, unlike real estate, where one estate attorney calls his buddy, notes are a different animal, those that will buy property usually don't really buy paper.

Too funny.... owner occ FHA  completely different animal.. as @Upen Patel  stated.and in a hot market you can find it difficult to get a 4 plex.. when investors are snatching them up with conventional financing 1031 etc etc.. they don't need to view the units.. units are units.I get why you want to you acting as a home buyer first investor second.. you want to make sure the property is livable for you personally.you in a catch 22 right now.. and many times in what your describing and in hot markets you need to be offering MORE than list price not low balling...

They currently live out in the country here in Iowa and have a dog cat and some chickens and would prefer to keep all of these animals with the move.Questions:1.  

@Chad Duval As Thomas S. said, your contracts are of limited term and therefore can be changed very easily (i.e. basically every month) as long as you notify the tenant of the change as per timeframe described in the lease (and/or local laws, whichever applies).As regards your statement of "making money" on those pets:  while I get the idea, you probably won't make any due to the additional wear and tear, if not even damages caused by the animals (as a broad and general statement; I personally know no cat that would ever pee on the carpet unless their owners are reckless idiots and don't properly provide for them).

We went to the apartment after Oct 1st to clean.....the apartment had feces all over the floor from an animal not approved in their apartment.

Depending on the size of the county - many properties are posted - a lesser amount actually get to actual Auction as owner has until last minute to clear up the deficiency or some type of legal maneuver is filed to forestall the actual sale. you'll actually see some properties Pulled and a month or so later it shows up again.It's a real "crap shoot" as to what you can buy - and you have to PAY CASH that Day if you are successful in winning the bid.Sheriff's Tax Sale are another animal as well with "Right Of Redemption".  

Have you ever had to rip up carpet wet from animal urine on a hot humid Midwest summer day?

Animal control was called twice over a span of 2 months and our lease is very specific about being in breach by not containing her dogs.

Only 155k great place to start a bed and Breakfast camping could build a pond for fishing community garden raise animals store boats and trucks.