In my experience, finding deals with strong potential for cash flow, often means digging deeper into off-market opportunities or unique property types that traditional models overlook.

And when I speak with people (or write on my blog) I'm always VERY transparent about the unique challenges of the market there.

.- My Resources / Constraints: I'm in a by no means unique, but perhaps less common situation for those getting started; I'm a somewhat senior software engineer at a tech megacorp and should be able to save a couple of down payments per year for lower priced houses (100-200 in my area), or perhaps one medium priced house (300-500).

Congrats on being a unique offering for the area. 

No kidding.. each Jurisdiction is unique..

Maybe my experience is unique- maybe not.

Plus, living in the property gives you the unique advantage of understanding it inside and out.. making you a better landlord when you eventually rent out all the units.If I were you, I’d prioritize properties with room for rent increases or small upgrades that could boost value.

There are often long stretches of flat SFR markets in US. like '79-'83, '89-'94, or even down markets like '06-'13 where single family home values dropped 36% on average across country, so 1% rule may help keep some investors out of trouble by at least having some cash flow to safely carry the mortgage during those times.      

I’m curious if the process in NYC is similarly structured, where it’s difficult but feasible to follow through, or if there are unique barriers that make it much harder or even impractical.If anyone has insights or could answer a few questions, I’d really appreciate it!

I’ve got a network that stretches into San Antonio, Phoenix, Chicago, and beyond... from what I’ve heard, when you team up with the right people, you’re not just investing in a property, you’re investing in a support system.