So far with what I've found, the idea of house hacking a MFH seems to be the front runner for where to start best for someone as new as me.

Depends.I see Real Estate Investment like losing weight: you have to find what works for you and stick to it, in a healthy way.Some people are marathon runners, others are power-lifters.

I personally did that, and I can say that Jeff had that spreadsheet in my inbox in 4 minutes - yes, as fast as Olympic-caliber mile runners can run the mile.Here's where Jeff can be found:http://www.biggerpockets.com/users/Jeff_TumbarelloSorry for the temporary thread hijack.

They are outside Chicago, but have no problem sending a runner for the closing.

It’s all talk until runner meets the road.

In each market I am in, I build local teams for runners, handymen and cleaners.

@Steve R.Most residential real estate agents are not going to be out scouting for ugly houses ... if one is dropped in their lap, they may bring it to you - or to an agent in their office who is willing to deal with it.You have a far bigger chance of finding your own: read the local classifieds and your provinces version of the Royal Gazette for foreclosure/mortgage/tax sale announcements; lace-up your runners and get in a morning 5-miler around the neighbourhoods of interest; talk to the postal carriers, etc.

It's becoming a front-runner for many REI's.I think even @Brandon Turner has been talking about adding VR's to his portfolio. 

I just had a smoking hot little red head marathon runner in a very tight shirt try this on me when I mentioned to her that I was thinking of putting a coin op laundry in one of my commercial buildings.

In terms of the floor footfall noise, I'd say area rugs and hallway runners make a big difference and could help some with the conversation noise too in terms of absorbing sound.