We have a few 2-6 unit properties, but if I were starting over, I'd forego the residential, wannabe multi-unit and go straight to the small (10 - 30) to medium (40 - 100) apartment buildings.Naturally there are always exceptions  - we even have a very well behaved 5-unit property - and if you are planning to owner-occupy to reduce your downpayment then you must stick to residential (1-4 unit) properties.

@Elizabeth Colegrove I am not sure what behave means.

They are always trained and/or well behaved. 

If you really think that sending people to my house without my consent, at random times of the day/week is OK, especially after I didn't take you up on your unsolicited services, then I don't know what to tell you, but most educated reasonable people don't behave this way.

I don't allow dogs, but if a tenant has one when I buy the place and the dog is well behaved I allow them to stay.  

If people were "realistic", we would not be having this conversation right now.  

If you know you will be having a formal inspection period, and you know you will be able to back out because of inspections, then don't worry so much about a pre-offer inspection.  

Better to be having two houses barely breaking even than to have nothing by playing it safe.

I went to BREIA's website and it seems that they will be having a meeting next week, which I am exited to join. 

Can anyone give me some input on how the real estate market is behaving?