Again, consult your tax accountant. 

@tom shallcross summarized this well in another post and just inflate your numbers up for a $665k purchase price and $2300/mo per unit for rent.Borrow 80% which is like $3700/mo for Principal, Interest, Taxes, and Insurance.

Any tips or advice?

Real estate investing has been a passion of mine for time with my mother also having invested early on where I likely have gotten the love and desire to follow similar foot steps.I have taken last 6 months to educate myself and currently own a single family home as primary residence and would like to expand to multi family properties (2-4 units) for additional stream of income, not to mention potential tax benefits for long-term investing.Based on current living situation, I have a fair amount of equity established in my primary residency along with having enough cash to either pay off house completely or use towards investing in a multi family property.Given that I'm the sole source of income for our household with my wife being the home maker for our two kids under 2, trying to weigh out risks with getting started now or perhaps waiting. 

As you know its near impossible to find a good cash flowing deal in CA due to sale price, taxes and lack of inventory.Last one I closed on was over off of Germantown Road it was a great 2 unit that needed a little TLC for $160K but passed an inspection and was livable.

I again state the problem is with the underwriting.  8.5% vacancy, pm 15%, 25% turn over (using my reduced numbers) or 37.5% using your actual, my minimum maint/cap ex would be 50%, prop tax, insurance, missed payment (seeing my vacancy only included the one month turn over), P&I?

If you have any tips for a complete beginner, I’m all ears!

Other advice, especially that pertaining to tax benefits, is also highly appreciated!

The rest, put you on near-worthless drip campaigns, don't understand calculating the offer price based upon rents - property taxes - insurance - MNT & Vacancy percentages, etc.DM @James Wise to schedule a chat with him!

I had constant issues with the local government and the taxes were absurd.