We are also open to find a multi-family with a full basement unfinished or finished that we can transform to live in while we rent both apartments and live rent free for the next year allowing us to save a substantial amount of money.

So if someone has a building that a percentage of there income is down because of covid moritorium allowing people to live rent free.

They were coming here to get heart transplants or have medical studies done as they die of some rare condition. 

DO NOT let her live rent free and agree to leave at the end of that because she will not leave!  

Second, house hacking is a great investment strategy, where you can live rent-free if the numbers make sense.

Have you thought about "house hacking" where you find a duplex (or triplex) and use the income from the property to cover the mortgage expense allowing you to live rent free. 

Probably cannot live rent free, but maybe get close.

Do as much around your parents house to show appreciation for letting you live rent free. 

@Michael Carges that’s a great area and attracting a lot of the new transplants.

Many of the cities here have strong rental markets so it is great for investors.The area is also getting more transplants from NYC and Philly areas because it's lest costly and there are tons of jobs available.