I'd recommend researching areas to see that they have:- Low unemployment- High demand for housing - relatively low inventory- local job creation/booming local economy- high avg/median income- increasing population- low average days-on-market (DOM)- history of rent and property value increases YOY- low crime- highly-rated schools (or above average)I'd compare the target neighborhood to surrounding neighborhoods and/or nearest metro areas. 

9) adding multiple ADUs or adding an ADU to a quad looses F/F conventional financing.

Inventory continues to be low, although it is higher than it has been in 3 years.

The previous properties were all conventional, and this is dscr.

We only have 1 month of inventory, so everything sells.

I bought a duplex that was grandfathered in and considered legal non-conforming, however there was also a small office building on the property which complicated things to the point where I could not obtain conventional financing.

Do you have any thoughts or suggestions on conventional stick built as opposed to the manufactured multi family that's availble?

It would probably be a year or two before i could get my first investment property anyway. no downside, until i just learned it would be 4+ years for conventional loans. 

"Would you use one to buy the property cash (house is worth $50k)" - Absolutely, as long as you know you can qualify/source/secure conventional financing.

Hi Jonathan,With conventional financing you shouldn't need to live in the property for more than one year.