within the next 3 - 6 months duplex /triplex in or around my area although  the funds are week due to a high DTIalthough i have a 740 credit score, some larger purchases/ home improvements ,solar /roof /windows  have led me down the borrow pay later mentality..

@Russell Brazil,I understand your point about DTI, but I was thinking more about the fact that we would exhaust a significant part of our savings to buy the multi-unit first and would likely have to save extensively for a couple of years in addition to what we might cash flow from the multi-unit to have enough to buy our single-family home next.

@David Falsdefinitely do not exhaust your savings. 

The revolving door of 3 month leases on renting out the 4 bedrooms is exhausting. 

Of course if there is a real problem, it needs to be addressed regardless.Make sure there are operating exhaust fans in the bathroom and that they use them with every shower.

Assuming what you've posted is true, this person is seriously mentally unstable.

Determine what he needs in his retirement and set that (mentally) aside.

That's what those under-educated so-called financial expert fools advising HUD gravely FAILED IN THEIR LACK OF INTELLIGENCE TO FIGURE OUT BEFORE CREATING THIS brow-beating, emotionally-destructive, mentally painful, soul despairing REVERSE MORTGAGE INDUSTRY! 

I have had to evict one guy for non payment of rent and evicting a woman on Tues for non payment of rent and disturbing the peace with her mental issues.

Maybe because collectively we have 30 years in the tech industry and WE ARE EXHAUSTED OF THE GRIND AND BEING OVERLOOK FOR CAREER OPPORTUNITIES!!