Find a mentor that will let you shadow them, continue learning on Bigger Pockets, and TRACK things that matter.Please don't get discouraged...real estate is a long-term play. 

I am okay playing the long game and waiting for the benefits of market appreciation but in the time being would like an average CF return (not prioritizing CF). 

My primary question is: Should I focus on buying a multifamily property and growing slowly to build a stable financial foundation, even though my area would have minimal cash flow and be more of an appreciation play?

So I don't think it's a trend, I think it's the reality of the play between the population explosion, gentrification, and affordable housing. 

@Alan HaleCan’t answer number 2 but financing has nothing to do with your profit I’m it doesn’t matter what you buy whether a car, home or pack of toothpicks, your profit is what you paid for it minus your costs/expensesWhere financing does come into play is it is a cost as money is not free - but it’s only what you have paid for that financing.Hope that makes sense

In particular, fair housing issues may come into play when a husband and wife or "couple" apply jointly.

Some other items came into play were manager percentage of late fees and maintenance oversight fees and renewal fees.

Of course the right loan would have to come into play with this scenario.

We'll see it in about 4-6 months that this economy isn't as strong as the market suggested it was.The market is playing the fiscal side, the economy is playing the labor & debt side.

and deed flip flop is going to cause tax implications as someone who was raised i sub to and wrap my dad did them in the 70s and 80s and I have bought about 200 sub 2s but my play was just to fix flip and sell not to own long term this is where the risk comes especially those that wrap these to buyers that may or may not pay. paying off mortgage is the ONLY sure fire way to make sure these dont end up in a mess.OR....