Personally, I wouldn't throw out a complex structure to the seller right out of the gate. 

Depending on the complexity of the deal, you can have a few revisions, negotiations to the contract.To me, the focus of the calls is to gauge whether or not the seller is motivated to sell, and if it fits into my buy box, and the price fits my return criteria.

They often come with fewer complexities than multi-family (especially as a first investment) and can offer great appreciation and cash flow opportunities.

However, it comes with risks like higher complexity, cash flow pressures during vacancies, and interest rate exposure.

Hostaway seems interesting as potentially something with the power of Ownerrez but without the challenging interface and complexity. 

It depends on the number of Units, Residential or Commercial, Apartment Complex or mix of Single Family and Multifamily.Under 25 unit - Tenant Cloud, Rentech.Under 100 - Then Doorloop/Buildium.100+ - AppFolio, Yardi, Rent Manager.Apartment Management : Yardi seems to be wildly usedSingle Family ( Mixed ) - AppFolio seems to be popularRent manager has a good customer support team.

The three day class will give you the basic information to get started but this is a complex business and I find it helpful to be part of a network where I can ask questions as well as see what problems others are having and learn from their experience.This is a cash business so you need money to purchase the note(s), cover back taxes, legal fees, and then a light rehab prior to sale if you FC.  

@Eli Kantor The complex I still follow having invested and owner occupied is over 30 years old and has 340 units.

It's hard to really understand a market without living down there - and being a foreigner adds a whole new level of complexity. 

I'm very interested in apartment complexes and have been trying to learn as much as I can about investing in them.