Unfortunately, this is a controversial topic where there is no consensus between tax professionals.

Is there anything I should focus on for the design / layout if the purpose is mainly for renting out? 

This establishes the legitimacy of the arrangement and protects against audit risks.

You don't want to lose your rate on the house you are living in now unless you want to sell it so since that is an owner-occupied, you need to stay there and save up the 20 percent for the second property based on what you said.

Hi @Jon Pflueger to answer your questions requires more information. 

I currently broker LIHTC multi-family for a large firm coast to coast and am also interested in MF in the Arizona submarkets as well, and will eventually invest on that scale - I just figure breaking into the state through SFH flips may be a more risk adverse way to understand the pros and cons to phoenix submarkets.

i just sold a property on a contract for deed.

Would you spend that much for a shot at making 200 a month?  

He just published a book on this with BiggerPockets and does a LOT in the space of trying to educate athletes on how to invest.

I think once you have 10 or more, it's probably smart to have your own people.