My first roommate moved in 2 months ago and I have been collecting deposit, rent, and utilities through PayPal because we both have it (we work for the same company).

I closed on my first purchase (primary residence, 3 bedroom and renting the other 2 rooms to roommates) one month ago. 5% down on a 30 year conventional with an 805 credit score, though my lender gave me a 2% grant at closing so I really only put down 3%.

Even without buying right away you can reduce your living expenses by getting room mates for example. 

I currently have roommates "with privacy." 

You can house hack with roommates based.

Ive actually been to those investing "gurus" before with my roommate just to see if I could learn something.

My finder fees are enough to make them look and far less than what Property Manager would charge me.Remember it's to tenant advantage to find their own roommate and if you give them a finder fee you give them an extra incentive.As of yet I've never had to look for a tenant for this particular property..

And if you want to take house-hacking even further, you could take on a roommate or air bnb a room in your side of the duplex.

I would rent out the house as roommates -- you just choose to stay in your level of the house while they stay in their level.  

If you can find roommates for your own unit even better!