I am in the exact same scenario and have been pondering this for weeks.

Things to ponder in addition to accessing a property as a rental (and you are thinking multi-family which equals multi responsibilities) is to study your state and City Laws as well as landlord common sense issues, such as the eviction process.When you become a landlord it is truly a business. 

If you are pondering that route, they really are a good one if you don't have (or want to spend) a lot of time dealing with properties.

Now I am pondering the "lease with the option" strategy.

wow such great thoughts to ponder on bp.

I actually would like to hold them and pay off but ponder thinking I could pull out $200K+ on each property to invest in additional properties.  

[Things that I ponder for myself is if I should put more money into my Health Saving Account.

So, the realtor says that the owner had planned to knock out the pantry and put in a spiral staircase to access the room [a ladder is used now] As my six year old self starts pondering the possibility of an old chest hidden there with a map that leads to great treasure [yo ho ho and a bottle of rum!]

The more I ponder this the more I feel I should allow the neighbors to work it out, one way or another.

What I'm actually really interested in is what made you finally act on your interest in real estate, as opposed to merely thinking about it.I have been pondering this same subject, it seems there are endless people who know what to do, but very few who do what they know.Its in those moments of living in the now that people begin to move forward.