Hi Ben-Congratulations on getting started and great question.Personally, I think it is better to cut your teeth with single-family before scaling with multi-family.Additionally, I recommend using a property management company to handle the leases and tenant issues even if you rent rooms out in a single-family rental.The reason for this is they will know local and federal housing laws and keep you out of the weeds and out of trouble.Additionally, it provides a shied from awkward moments in the house or with a tenant over unpaid rent or difficult behavior.

My goal is eventually to buy larger (commercial) multifamily properties, but I want to cut my teeth on 2-4 unit properties first. 

He'll drop his teeth with such a low offer, but just say:  "I only pay for actual cash flow".I never buy in a new area without putting up test ad in craigslist.  

I filled up the enamel tub & poured this in to water as recommended on label & let it soak several hours, was totally amazed.

The comment you have about doing some advertising to make it active - if your action has no real teeth and you are just doing it to try and meet material participation or some other kind of standards, typically the tax position itself has no teeth and would not be recommended.

Oil based enamel paint , 2 coats and caulk the joints , works well

This is just a scam designed to cheat you, but because the government has put such teeth into protecting true service animals, many landlords have been afraid to push back. 

As easy as this sounds, it's not simple and usually like pulling teeth.

Purchase price: $350,000 Cash invested: $32,000 My second property that I feel like I acquired by the skin of my teeth.

Haha...My wife is a dental hygienist and cleans my teeth at the house.