A way to look at it could be to find buyers first and figure out their buy box and after that go out and hunt for deals for them and run it by them when you find something.

My first piece of advice would be to always be networking with other wholesalers/investors both online and offline.

Most investors focus on finding buyers first when it is all the way toward the end of the process. 

Closing costs, necessary cash reserves, and the expenses to get a property market ready are more than most first time investors think.I have nothing to sell and would be happy to help if you think that I can be a resource.

The strategy I'm following for my first house hack is to acquire a multifamily property (duplex, triplex, quadplex) or SFH w/ an ADU (or potential for an ADU) as I am mainly looking to simultaneously acquire my first property and subsidize my mortgage payment.

When it’s time to renew we probably won’t because of this exact scenario.

Q2 is most important: If the mortgaage is upside down, it would have to be an approved short sale and that could take a very long time to rectify.

Quote from @Enrique Toledo: I came across a really good seller financing deal and I would like to purchase it as my first deal but I don’t have enough money for the down payment.can I use a lender of some sort to give me money for the down payment?

Hopefully, you find it helpful and qualifies us to assist you with your goals:)---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Recommend 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?

First, in my state of North Carolina, having a real estate broker license is required.