I was going to buy a owner occupied duplex with 3.5% down then buy an investment property using 25% down but my DTI ratio would not qualify for both mortgages in the same year unless I used a dscr loan but then the interest rate would be very high, and it'd be hard to make a deal work using a dscr loan because of that.

This is especially true of small mom & pop businesses in high end areas.  

I only have 4 SFR with sec 8 but I’d highly recommend it.

I highly recommend requiring ID, selfie, and pics of CC front and back.  

If you are new to the business the most common issue is you're either locking up deals too high or you aren't finding attractive deals.

high prices have made properties expensive and high rates have made money expensive. 

This isn't just high risk your talking about Zach, your talking about compounded high risk. 

that we’ve learned in our 24 years, managing almost 700 doors across the Metro Detroit area, including almost 100 S8 leases:Class A Properties:Cashflow vs Appreciation: Typically, 3-5 years for positive cashflow, but you get highest relative rent & value appreciation.Vacancy Est: Historically 10%, 5% the more recent norm.Tenant Pool: Majority will have FICO scores of 680+ (roughly 5% probability of default), zero evictions in last 7 years.Class B Properties:Cashflow vs Appreciation: Typically, decent amount of relative rent & value appreciation.Vacancy Est: Historically 10%, 5% should be applied only if proper research done to support.Tenant Pool: Majority will have FICO scores of 620-680 (around 10% probability of default), some blemishes, but should have no evictions in last 5 yearsClass C Properties:Cashflow vs Appreciation: Typically, high cashflow and at the lower end of relative rent & value appreciation.

I'd highly recommend house hacking in your local market since you're in one of the highest cost of living areas in the US, especially if you're renting currently and planning on staying in the area for 5-10 years.It sounds sexy to go out and invest out of state for your first property.

There was a news reporter at the sale and they interviewed the high bidder, who admitted that they had not seen the property, but were certain that they would be building their family home there.