I found someone in my area with a decent amount of experience in real estate who advised me to first purchase a single family home of my own (starter home) then proceed to use that as my first rent house in a few years time.

., so you can't get financing on a condotel most of the time.

*Be patient, and allow time to work its magic.

* What is the best strategy for first-time investors: Own or Arbitrage?

I guess I should have stay the heck out of this one LOL

Most transactions between friends or loved ones fail.

It's just a matter of time.  

Sales have plunged to 1995 levels according to one stat sheet I saw. 

I got started by moving from Portland OR to Columbus Ohio and started full time real estate investing here and started with house hacking/multifamily as well. 

This is one of those, as is the neighboring properties (all of which operate as duplexes, though officially are noted as SF).