@Dave Foster I have a 3 Family building bought for $1M in 2015 : two 1bed apt as rentals and a duplex(plus basement and backyard) which I have occupied as primary residence for the last 3 years.

The house was originally a primary residence but was converted to a rental property when they moved a number of years ago.

@Bob Floss II I agree, one of the intermediate-term tailwinds of SE WI is the migration of some IL residents to lower tax areas, NW Indiana has also added residents from this trend.  

We also rent out our previous residence. 

I'm a fellow San Diego resident who is also interested in multi-units OOS.In response to your question, from the research I've been doing (and outside of the residential vs commercial aspect that @Sherwin Gonzales brought up), a big part will be your comfort level and financial goals. 

What would be ideal is a small single family residence, maybe even a mobile home we could rent, with a small yard for the girls. 

There are groups now that get into properties when the owners go on vacation (primary residences, not rentals) they come back and find that someone has change the locks of their house and can’t enter.

The zero down programs are designed for primary residences and are linked to the individual on title.

Currently at 30% they will be reduced over the next few years starting next year.Financing the systems is trickier for multiple properties as the zero down programs are designed for the person on title in primary residences.

Held it for 2 yrs and sold it for a down payment on a primary resident.