I eventually want to buy and hold multi family to start for cash flow and eventually scale up to multi unit buildings.

I eventually would like to invest in my local market but haven't come across anything passing the 1% rule and within my current financial means.  

But it will right itself eventually as rents go up and your payments stay the same.If thats what it takes to invest in california, thats what it takes.And you bring up a good point about your other properties cash flow paying for this one.

They tend to be built right on top of one another and eventually it all gets kind dumpy.  

I am focused on buy and hold right now but I would eventually like to get into flipping.  

Would the boost to eventual resale justify added cost?

I don't know who is paying for them, but there will be people losing money eventually, and it won't be me.

Eventually, I want to expand and possibly gain hold of some properties in my hometown.  

It may very well end up with nothing happening for another year, and then the bank eventually files for the foreclosure, they buy it back, and its on the market as a bank asset.  

We eventually like to take over the mortgage somehow.