That's a great way to start,  so you can continue to live rent-free without your parents!      

If I were purchasing a small multi-unit (say 2-4) with the intention of living in one, ideally I would want the remaining units (1-3) to carry the building on their own ... effectively allowing me to live rent/mortgage free :) This way, when/if you move out in the future and start renting your unit, all or most of the additional revenue will go directly into cash-flow [some of it will go towards higher financing and possible tax costs when the building is no longer owner occupied] :) A building like this will be difficult, but not impossible, to find.

You can get an fha mortgage with low down payment because you'll be living there, then you rent the extra rooms out to some roommates and live rent free with a potential for cash flow.

Bronx is only 30 minutes to times square by express train and pretty much the only place I can afford to buy a multifamily.Immediate goalsTo live rent free, and may be make some money after mortgage/tax/maintenance, through a combination of rentals and short term rentals like AirBnb.

She was diagnosed with bone marrow cancer last year and went through an arduous year of treatment, including a stem cell (bone marrow) transplant.

I am a transplant since I was born and raised in Germany and moved to NYC in 2008.

Not only you can live rent free (yes, even in expensive areas like Los Angeles) but you may reap all the benefits of real estate investment.

The problem is in such a desirable area, everyone wants to own a nice property that needs paint and carpet to make a couple extra bucks, this drives up prices hence the ability for the economy to support those who can gut and rehab a place.If I were looking to live rent free, I would run the numbers on the rent and determine how much you can afford in monthly payments, this is your cashflow.

Like you, I am a new transplant here in Bham and I am just getting started investing as well.

@Michael Miller   your on the right track  if you want it take it... even the best agents have lives to live.. RE