You see, over the past year I have invested in 3 very modest but positive cash flowing single family homes in 3 different states.

LENDERS won't count your 1st property's mortgage against your income if you have a signed written lease and 6 months verified tenant paid rents.DON'T BUY YOUR dream home now, buy the most rent-able  property: a minimum.                    3 BR 2 BA SINGLE FAMILY HOME ,  bigger if you can afford and a garage is a huge plus.

I'm looking at getting either a single family or up to a 4 unit.

Are you  are getting $1150 from a single room basement in Gresham or is that expectations? 

I currently live with them now, and it works out well (even though we all live in a single family home) but I have considered, what happens when the tables are turned and it's my parents living under me (even In a multifamily), and that is probably a whole different situation, especially when there is paperwork involved, thanks for the quick feedback everyone!

Since then, we have flipped 3 more single family homes.

I currently have a single family home (4 bed 21/2 bath) and the first part of the house hacking strategy would be to rent this house out and then go and purchase a multifamily property to live rent free in and therefore save up more cash.

I'm trying to get into a home in Washington state, which I can make changes to, to make it handicapped accessable for my mother.

This single action, for me, was the biggest thing that has advanced my RE investing.I'm part of a small meet up in downtown.

When I do short sales, I get pictures of every single little problem I find regarding the property; get a licensed contractor to give you a detailed cost estimate to remedy it.