Owner-occupying a small multi-family property is a smart move—you're reducing your own housing costs while building equity and generating rental income.

Proceeds could be reinvested in better-performing assets across multiple doors.Our goal is to build appreciation over cash flow, acquiring 1-4 doors/year to allow my wife to retire by 50.

The key here is finding the right market and building a strong team—especially for things like contractors.

I also own another unit in the same building, and no other tenants have ever complained about inadequate heating.I’ve advised her to keep the heat on 24 hours a day, as the lease specifies that the tenant is responsible for paying for heating costs.

So we're now waiting on a $1.2M triplex in Atlanta that's being prepared for market or a commercial 7 units building that the owner decided to upgrade with 2 leases expiring before selling.

1) Check with state building dept to see if they have a valid builder's license and if any negative issues with it. - PRO TIP: many builders lose their license then create new company in name of wife or other relative/friend.2) Check Better Business Bureau, but don't assume all the complaints are legit. - If there area MANY, then that is a problem.

Focus on learning the numbers and building connections.

If you have want to scale with flips build a team and make it happen. 

Then I need to build my team, inspectors, sub contractors and either find a property management company or try to self manage them and etc.

Since I am just beginning I am just looking to make a quick sale to build capital.