I currently have a family member dealing with "okupas" in one of his investment properties and he is been fighting it for well over a year to get the property back. 

Investment Info:Single-family residence fix & flip investment in Indianapolis.

When you bought your permanent residence, @Doug Pham, did your lender, say BofA, accept loan documents that you provided, or did they require you to use theirs?

Although there is no way to prove this, (I reside in FL; the investment property is in AL) my GC tells me the unit was secured by a cage and bolted down.  

Whether that is staying in the family business or doing something else.

I currently rent and am very frugal , no debt, drive a used car, have a roth ira etc  I have an opportunity to get a 1980 4 bed 4 bath ranch duplex ,full basement , one car garage per side,, new roof, original mechanicals duplex from a family member off market in a solid B to B+ area/country setting 1.5 miles outside of east side of city of 150k people.

You are free to build whatever you want, sell the house once is finished, and the lien-holder (original seller) is paid off through title when the new house sel The seller is wanting us to build him a new primary residence.

Rent out a room, or two or 3 in your new place to friends, family, co-workers. 

Where are you acquiring your first multi-family?

The 4-bed unit offers $400 more per month in rent, which can improve cash flow, but may have a smaller tenant pool since larger families or roommates typically rent these.