Lots of advantages to Multis... some disadvantages.

Disadvantages: Potential for low inventory impacting ability to meet goals in 2013 and beyond.

It looks to me like owner occupant buyers might be the ones at a disadvantage in some markets.

Also you can't use leverage when you are buying REITs...which is a huge disadvantage.

I can't tell if it's an advantage or disadvantage that my purchase price is not of record.

What are some of the advantages and disadvantages of each approach?

By buying your property in an IRA, you lose these benefits because you are investing in a tax deductible investment inside a tax deferred account. 2 tax advantages = a tax disadvantage.

All your other expenses really occur no matter whether a tenant is there or not (taxes, ins, maintenance ect) so eliminating those 2 items has the greatest direct effect on your expense number.The big disadvantage is the tenant has a legal right to stay in your property because they have a piece of paper that binds you to provide housing in exchange for their rent payment.

(for this small of a loan I plan on using aimloan.com or our local credit union) Advantages/ disadvantages?

What are advantages and disadvantages and how does this help you reach your goal?