Starting with a small multifamily property is a fantastic idea—it gives you a chance to live in one unit while renting out the others, which can help offset your mortgage and build equity faster.

We've had a lot of good experiences and some not so good ones. 

Kiavi (formerly Lending Home) was one of the first lenders for Fix-n-Flip,but they are very automated.

I know of other softwares, like Baselane that handle income and expenses all in one place.

I often read that one should seek a commissioned sales role because your comp is uncapped and that has served me well. 

You can us a VA Loan to buy a 1-4 unit property as long as you live in one of the units. 

Quote from @Evan Haas: I think that one is probably a little rougher than I would be looking for. 

*Note you do not need a zoning attorney, but I highly recommend you work with one. 

One option I haven't noticed being mentioned is to auction it.

What appears to be great "curb appeal" to one person might be overwhelming to another.