Once you have done it in your own backyard and know the demand of owning RE, you will be much more ready to buy out of state.

You can offer to buy the upstairs residents an area rug, but I wouldn't force it on them.   

I am looking to buy a 2 or 3-unit home in NYC.

Buying a turn key rental, in an area you know or knew well, with a property manager you've met and trust, in an area that is large enough for you to have other options to find contractors and property managers? 

Investment Info:Single-family residence buy & hold investment.

I do think that an investor should acquire a long-term buy and hold property if they can find them right now because Huntsville is taking all of the right steps to continue to grow. 

However, can you buy real estate without using any of your own money?

BiggerPockets also has a calculator to analyze deals, and I highly recommend you start this as soon as possible, even if you are not ready to buy.

@Christopher HeidrichRecommend you first figure out the property Class you want to invest in, THEN figure out the corresponding location to invest in.Property Class will typically dictate the Class of tenant you get, which greatly IMPACTS rental income stability and property maintenance/damage by tenants.If you apply Class A assumptions to a Class B or C purchase, your expectations won’t be met and it may be a financial disaster.If you buy/renovate a property in Class D area to Class A standards, what quality of tenant will you get?

@Luke Hamlin you can buy a second home with 10% down with a Conventional loan.