I am drawn to multi family homes and think I would like to start close to home here in the Twin Cities, but the more I listen and read, the less opposed I am to looking out of state. 

Rent appreciation also tends to be higher and cash flow tends to be much better over time as rents increase more steeply, but it may take several years to spin off positive cash flow as opposed to right away.

It is my understanding that many California markets make sense from the standpoint of future appreciation as opposed to immediate cash flow.

I’d like an off white color as opposed to bright white so I’d recommend the alabaster.

When this was discussed at the last HOA meeting 2 weeks ago, only 18 lot owners out of 65 total were represented on the meeting, about half of the attendees were good to allow STR’s while the other half were opposed.

Asset protection is an obvious reason for many, but if you are sued, in reality, the opposing attorney will do everything to get to you personally, anyways.  

You can refinance conventional if you really want to but you would need to wait a year for cash out as opposed to 3-6 months with DSCR

I am thinking since I want to continue my real estate journey if I should buy a duplex and just live in it and rent the other half out as opposed to buying a single family. can a single family home that you live in be considered an investment at all?

Opposed to buying used one at retail. 

It depends what your goals are, but I'm inferring that this is a comfort/long term investment as opposed to a quick flip.