If you are new or exploring an unfamiliar market, a broker can help you navigate things, crafting an appropriate offer, etc. 

There is a sense of accomplishment in remodeling a kitchen or changing your own oil that you can never get by pressing the send button on an important email or crafting a really nice excel spreadsheet.

I get it, its fun to live downtown, eat at the best restaurant, drink craft beer, walk everywhere.  

Let the first timer have some success and let the old timers teach their craft.  

The best advice I can recommend is to find yourself a good fee based financial planner (full disclosure:  I am a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER(TM) who will take the time to get to know you and your situation, your goals, and who will help you craft a plan that encompasses all of the different areas of financial planning.Good luck on your journey and I hope this helps.Ed 

Also what I did to take away from Basement Laundry is I built a craft/gift wrapping station. 

Seemingly, you're the master of the craft...

Andrew Slater Look for win-win solutions to craft the seller financing transaction.

Sure if it makes sense it all depends on how you craft the story however its not likely because you're already living in a multi-unit as a primary.As for down payments duplexes are 15% down min as primary and 25% down min with 3-4 unit on purchase.With FHA its 3.5% down with up to 7 financed properties 1-4 units max.Putting 10% down is fine depending on how you buy you could use 10% down in various ways then use conventional or fha or other financing later for permanent financing.I've read building wealth one house at a time his basic premise is buy with 10% down buy that was written in a different time when those products were available if we're referring to conventional financing.

You're in the business to make money, not just to have the joy of a hobby restoring grandeur to old houses, so you need to make sure that you will make money even if worst case scenarios take place.Differentiate Yourself From Your Competition:  There is always a great pergola that the stars surprise the owners with, some great island where they have opened up the tiny kitchen, a corner dining arrangement that is crafted from old wood and is totally decked out.