This investors preferred properties in NYC are smaller mixed use, with a business on the ground floor, 2 or 3 apartment upstairs.

I'm part of the local Rental Property Owners Association of Mid-Michigan, which is geared towards landlords, and there's also a local Lansing investor meetup that is a mix of everything.

As an investor and agent, I have mixed feelings about this.

Some of those cities have a nice mix and the rental side can feed off the flip side due to area rejuvenation and the benefits that come with being on the fringe of those areas. 

Will likely have mixed sources for down payment and initial investment (family assistance and bank loans).Looking for suggestions and resources on where to start on analyzing neighborhood early trends/growth predictions, best mortgage options to consider, and general tips/tales of experience as first time home buyers and rental property managers/investors. 

It's done exactly what I thought it would and helping my brain listen to other thoughts and knowledge, and mix it with what I have.

Or a local union offers you a slot and they offer you a training wage of $14/hr mixed between classroom and job-sites.

I would tweak the steps by putting maxing an HSA before post-match 401(k) contributions, mixing in non-retirement (ie brokerage, rental properties, etc) investing before maxing 401(k), and I absolutely would NOT accelerate paying down low, fixed interest rate mortgages.  

@Sheila Campbell In addition to all of the other great advice already given, look at the tenant mix. 

How best can I evaluate the price on this mixed use building?