To get started, I see myself getting my feet wet with self-managing small multi-families with the possibility of living in one of the units. 

there seems to be numerous pre-purchase analysis software programs for creating a pro-forma for multifamily Acquisitions, available in the market.

They are much more numerous so they will sway the market.

I'm just learning this real estate thing and I would like to get my feet wet once I learn some things.  

@Andrew SavikasThe problem with a "diversification of notes" approach is that it doesn't take into account numerous factors such as risk types, market types, correlations, etc.

I'm new to the business and looking to get my feet wet.  

Welcome to BiggerpocketsYouve come to the right place for help.there numerous threads and podcasts on getting started.Many start with savings for down payments

We're hoping that we can manage to get tenants to turn over in the summer, where we can spend a couple of weeks down in DC combining a little vacation in the place with fixing things up and finding a new tenant).Of course I made some mistakes already, too, but I think I'll get away with them this time...So after getting my feet wet, I've been reading about REI, and we do have cash / equity (our primary home is just about paid off) to stuff with, so now I'm considering to get into it in a non-accidental way, and it seems more prudent to look at our local area (NH seacost), but it turns out I have little idea about the purchase/rental market here, and it doesn't seem all that easy to find out (in NoVA, at least, there's a very active market, while here prices seem to fluctuate wildly for no obvious (to me) reason.

Hi all, I am just starting to get my feet wet and am looking to get some contacts in Livingston, MT.

I just got married, and would like to use the cash gifts my wife and I got to finally get my feet wet.