@Richard TavetianYou've got an incredible feedback from @Charles Seaman.I'd say, you should start with education - learn as much as possible about MFH investing through books, podcasts, networking (virtual for now), so that when the times comes, you're ready to take action you know what you're doing.Here're some additional articles to check out:https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/10-things-investors-should-know-before-jumping-into-multifamily-housinghttps://www.biggerpockets.com/member-blogs/10850/87253-should-i-scale-my-investment-from-single-family-homes-to-multifamilyhttps://www.biggerpockets.com/member-blogs/10850/81214-what-goes-up-must-come-down-or-market-cycles-fluctuation

How do you add in a fluctuating amount of electric monthly? 

However, this approach also carries more risk as you may be more vulnerable to market fluctuations and cash flow issues.On the other hand, starting with a higher amount of capital can provide you with more security and stability, allowing you to weather downturns in the market and build a more sustainable portfolio.

I'm fine with that, as I live in a Cincinnati suburb where frankly the valuations just don't fluctuate all that much, even in really bad times like 08-09 where we saw maybe 10-20% downward pressure on average.  

It's not as exciting as a brokerage account, but I know exactly how much I have and I am not subject to any market fluctuations. 

But when we have negative cash flow, now we have to analyze the numbers closely:-$20K cash flow sounds bad, but if your principle debt is being paid down at + $20K this year alone, you're really breaking even - I think the hard part is that many investors cannot easily make up that negative cash flow [whatever $# it is] because that's real money that has to come from somewhere [vs, say, money already invested in the stock market, that fluctuates up + down = this is just a loss/gain on paper].The interesting question to me is - what does it cost you to sell vs maintaining the -$20K cash flow [regardless of the true net your making underneath this].

I'm finding some serious fluctuation on the pricing of everything.  

Self employed applicants really have no guaranteed income and it can fluctuate wildly over time.

Will asset prices fluctuate? 

If two different appraisers appraise my house with 50% variance during a fluctuating housing market (the past few years), I would almost call that normal.