Cash flow a must, appreciation a plus.

Duplexes cash flow better, have less risk, AND EASIER TO MANAGE compared to a SFH.  

Saul, Phoenix and Vegas are popular markets, but I’m not sure they’ll actually cash flow well with today’s prices and interest rates.

Quote from @Paul Lucenti: Would you rather have monthly cash flow or would you prefer a quick pay day after 3-6 months?

Yes not just for cash flow but for the health of the deal.

I plan on renting a unit and probably getting a roommate or two in my unit to maximize cash flow early on.

Our options are to put the money the stock market, buy a multi-unit property, by an established business, payoff the 3 rentals for cash flow, or get into hard money lending.

Hindsight Critique•Continue to build relationships to increase deal flow•Property manager (Mercer Hughes) is critical to completing renovations and quick tenant placement•Continue to build relationships with private lenders and personal investors•Have cash available to make quick competitive offersDid you work with any real estate professionals (agents, lenders, etc.) that you'd recommend to others?

After 2 years you can apply for a “Rent consideration” (I think that’s what they called it) as long as you still live there and that may allow you to increase rents by more than the annual allowance (probably designed for unit that are very low rents).

I'm terrified of doing all this research, finding a "dream" property, only for it to fail and negative cash flow.