I appreciate the encouragement—I'm excited to learn from and connect with investors in this community.Right now, I’m primarily focused on house hacking in the LA market, but I’m open to exploring out-of-state opportunities later in my career.

I don't know a single person who regrets starting out with a quad and house hacking.

If you're willing and able, I do recommend the "house hacking" strategy which is just a fancy name for buying a rental property and living in one of the units, because you'll get very favorable financing - an owner-occupied fixed-rate 30-year mortgage.I'd also say, analyze that property as if you won't live there and it's a pure rental, and make sure the property is still cash flow positive if there's a tenant in your unit because then you'll know if it's actually a good investment.And when you analyze it, include payment of a property manager in your #s because if you don't, and doing so would make it go cash flow negative, then you've just bought yourself a job because you literally can't step away from managing it without losing money.

Pittsburgh has to be one of the best markets for house hacking so we are definitely blessed.

If the house is older than 15 years old and an ADU is added, it can become rent controlled.

You’ll need to handle inspections, work with housing authorities, and make sure your tenant screening process is solid.

Not able to buy in this area without going house poor.

If you are just getting started here in Chicago, house hacking is the ideal situation.

Just focusing on the passive income you want to achieve will leave you chasing cash flow which will have you buying properties in worse areas with harder tenancies that seem to cash flow better, but will have large cap ex.Any time someone asks a question about where to invest and it can be anywhere, they aren't ready to invest and are opening themselves up to every pitch in the world on an area.

I am looking at different loan options but to break even (not having to put any money of my own in the house after the initial down payment) the current down payment required is that much.