I have saved up some money but my goal is to save up at least 20k in a year before I start looking for options on house hacking in a duplex.

For example, houses where the homeowner needs help and may consider selling to me. 

That would minimize and maybe eliminate the need for a loan for those properties.

Purchase price: $110,000 Cash invested: $30,000 Hobby Farm On 10 acres2300 sq ft house with 8 out buildings - Large Barn, Animal/hog barn, Mid-size machine shed (2) 25' x 35' / 30' x 50', Large Machine shed 60' x 60', Grainery barn, Entertainment Barn, 3 car garage What made you interested in investing in this type of deal?

@Desiree Board For your mix of long-term rentals (LTRs), short-term rentals (STRs), and house flipping, an LLC is ideal for liability protection and pass-through taxation.

@Jacob Flaxman, I am not familiar with this market, so take what I have to say as more of a general comment.My first thought is $250k to build a two story, two bed "house" will cost more than $250k. 

I'm thinking about investing into section 8  housing in STL and I'm new to this game.

They're looking for a stable market that is gobbling up houses just after a slow period so they can still get good deals on land before it gets hot and popular again.  

But they could just buy the house or condo next door and go to cosco and spend $10k making it nice like my wife does. 

You can usually request this from a title company or look into public records in your county’s clerk or recorder’s office.If you’re not sure how to navigate this, contacting the auction house or a real estate attorney familiar with foreclosure auctions can help ensure there aren’t surprises.