Definitely looking to start smaller, in the 2-4 unit range, but seeing what you put in your buy box helps me think about narrowing mine.Plan is for funds to primarily come from saving from my W-2 work and possibly utilizing equity from my primary residence, though that is something I would need to really plan out.  

Utility bills and maintenance records will give insight into operational costs.

Here is an example of what I utilize for onboarding value add multifamily.

The year it is placed in service, is the year you can utilize the cost seg.

Very common for most of today's gurus to utilize these types of subterranean creatures. 

Using a Heloc utilizes the equity that is sitting dormant, it provides tax relief (once again check with your tax professional) as it is interest income, you can typically get a reasonable rate andlastly there is no out of pocket money.

Ryan,Thanks so much for the response, can i utilize this if i am not currently renting the property out?

Utilities are absent.

As an investor-focused agent in the Cleveland market I always have my clients write the following contingencies in when buying a house that's tenant occupied:1) Offer contingent on home inspection- usually a 7-10 day contingency period, this contingency allows you to either A) move forward with the deal B) renegotiate the price if issues are found, or C) walk away from the deal2) Offer contingent on appraisal if you're going financing3) Seller to provide copy of current lease agreement4) Seller to provide a rent roll/tenant ledger with proof of payments received5) Seller to provide copies of 3 previous months of any utilities paid by the landlord6) Seller and tenants to fill out Estoppel Certificate.

Keeping this as a rental would not cover the mortgage (we'd have to pay ~1500 a month including utilities) and we can afford the extra payment, but is it worth it when looking at appreciation?