I'm debating on whether to do one of the following options, 1) House hack: Potentially buy a 2-4 unit so I can live in one and rent out the other ones.2) House Flip: Find a fixer upper so I can restore and sell.3) Buy an invesment property out of stateMy short/long term goal is to be a real state investor/developer with various rental properties (Mainly for housing), therefore, I'm aware that the first deal must be chosen carefully.What does the BP community recommend? 

While cashflow is my ultimate goal, I may need to do a few flips in order to restore capital and pay down debt (BRRR likely won't work on this first property, at least not for another year+)@David Clinton III Next time I'm in town I'd love to pick your brain and see what value I can drive to your portfolio. 

we have a 'Habitat for Humanity ReStores' in the Buffalo area that takes in just about everything & you can get amazing deals on cabinets that have been removed.

It's why you don't carve out and capitalize a portion of each monthly HOA fee for betterments, restorations, and adaptations to common areas. 

Out first was a duplex (which we are house hacking) and our newest is a flip property.The first floor has beautiful, easy to restore hardwood floors.

It could be that the drain hose popped out of the drain hole in the laundry hook up box.It could even be that the dryer vent is clogged and condensated water is actually coming from the dryer.I don't think you'd need to remove the flooring but I'm not sure.If there was A LOT of water, I'd call a flood restoration company. 

Everything can be fixed--the question is simply how much it will cost.I would suggest getting an experienced restoration company or contractor with fire-damage experience to look at it and give you a run-down on what it will need.

to each their own and only you knownyour financial situation. but personally id put 3% dowm or something close to that (yes you will have a higher interest rate but it wouldnt be outlandishly higher) and invest the rest. or put 20% down and buy a duplex (though idk how big duplex get if you have 3 kids)

Noble Restorations does great work in the StL market  https://www.houzz.com/pro/noble-restoration/noble-restoration

It has a line about restoring property after catastrophic damage, at owner's option, and rent abatement until restored.