You need a company for sure, you are on the right track.

If it is possible for you could start on a multi family home that is easier to get financing including the renovation but you have to live there one year but your tenant(s) could pay the rent that would probably pay enough to cover most if not all of your mortgage payment.It can work well to be a good investment if you keep it for longer term.  

What are the rules regarding how quickly I would have to occupy an owner occupancy multi family home The triplex that I am looking at is fully occupied until end of January 2017

I plan on 1031 exchanging this house to a 6-10 unit multi.  

My long term goal is to own a multi family property.

On one property I received $47.5K off the initial agreed price with an appraisal that came in at agreed price.I do see how it can suck for the seller especially because I think appraisers are typically not as aware of market value as the investor who sees/visits each property and tracks the selling price of each property. 

I am currently assessing a deal on 3 multi family homes (2 dup, 1 tri) listed for $55k, $65K and $65K, respectively. 

Hello BP investors, I'd like to learn how multi unit appraisal is conducted for a cash out refi. there's a triplex to be refinanced for a cash out.

I market to absentee owners, owner occupied, multi-family, vacants houses, high equity and little equity. 

Would it be better to purchase multi family property or  (1 - 4 units) .... single family property or does it matter ?