Across the board, the worse the neighborhood, the better the cash flow, the better the neighborhood, the trade off for tenants base, better schools, low crime, etc etc.

Just focus on running the numbers carefully to ensure the property cash flows or at least covers expenses, and don’t hesitate to lean on resources here for advice.If you’re financing, look into FHA loans, as they’re great for first-time buyers purchasing up to 4-unit properties with low down payments.

As I see it, the only ways that real estate pays you well in the first 3-5 years is low to no leverage or a strategy that requires more work (short term rental, mid term rental, rent by the room, etc.).  

Are the HML not good options or you believe that 75% is too low?

I've run into some issues where clients get a little anxious over a valuation that came in low or a condition comes up that is fairly minor. 

Keeping it friendly and low intensity is more likely to be successful.I recently offered to completely replace my neighbor's fence next to my rental and they said "No".

Multifamily doesn't need any more pressure/demand since cap rates can really get low when too many people pile in, but I have to say that commercial real estate (including large MF) and other types of passive investing (mobile home parks, storage, etc.) can really make like much easier.

note if we sell the primary residence, it is very likely we will not need mortgages to buy smaller rentals as we would use that mostly.Though I take your point on keeping it. our house was a new construction (3 years old) though so possibly low maintenance risk to keep for a rental. 

Personally I like keeping my properties that I know are successful and have low maintenance.

Quote from @Jaycee Greene: Assuming you pay asking price, I'd estimate the down payment for something like that using a hard money loan (HML) would be around 40% of the purchase price and your monthly payment would be $2,600 with an interest rate in the low 7% range (probably need a 700+ credit score to get that).