The cheapest minimal house nor for sale in SillyValley is One Million bucks, perhaps a Stanford professor could afford it, but wouldn't want to!

(No I'm not pitching myself.)This is likely more involved than a turnkey but also gives more control and more margin.

Currently, I have a large cash position but am looking for minimal cash down deals.

I also sort of assumed that househacking means trying to minimize the expenses.I guess it really comes down to whether she's figuring her residence/unit in the income numbers.  

If the owner wants to be paid for the vacant units, they should fill them (with any associated expenses) and then market the property.As with any rental property, there is a 'normal' vacancy factor that the seller is going to minimize and the buyer is inflate.Owners wanting to be paid based on unrealized potential is much of what we are seeing in the MF space.

Depending on the net difference between the new kitchen floor and the adjacent room, you can buy a transition piece that will minimize the appearance.

That will determine what level of compensation another investor will feel you are entitled to. and then start pitching the idea. don't be too disappointed when you get a no. you will get a lot of them. but as you keep working at it your pitch will get better.

Now if someone said "Hi, Jd, this is Sarah - I was talking to Charles at XYZ industries and he indicated you were in the market for some 4G-compliant Widgets, and thought I might be able to help", I'm way more likely to listen to the sales pitch.  

(also used to be free for military, if you or your husband are)This is not a pitch on their behalf and I have no other association with them, but it helped me find some guidance while I lived there.Please let me know if there is anyway that I can help with your endeavors.R/Dan

Just make sure you narrow it down before you ask, to minimize that.