Quote from @Mike Levene: Hi @Chris RojasI started exactly the same way (with a triplex not a duplex but not important). 

I will no longer manage furnished long term rentals. 

You only take what you need when you need it.Heloan usually means 2nd place like a cash out refinance but they do not pay off the first mortgage they give you an amount in cash like the $10K above. 

I am active duty military and plan to use the property for deployments/holidays for my family to stay near relatives until I separate in 4 years, then to use that property as one of several future investment properties.

My clients can "force appreciate" the value of the property by doing a quality rehab for a lower than market cost because they are very good at spotting "diamonds in the rough".

So the biggest red flag here is how they start and explain the program.

Dear Michael,I appreciate your input.

Because it’s how I got started in real estate investing.

i've had good experiences with The One Brokerage although they can't do 80% in every situation.happy to keep brainstorming if i am missing something

Hello Frank, I think house hacking a small multifamily property that you buy with a low downpayment is one o the best and lowest risk strategies that you can get started with.