I don't work on houses, but I have to use B and A-basis values for material strength which in effect means the real material will end up being 20%+ stronger (depend on the material).  

And you'll have the best rate/points options with a primary residence.Option #2 is great, especially if you're willing to move into one of the units (because the down payment minimum is just 5% or 3.5% depending on program), but as you mentioned it's really tough here to find small multifamily here.

Quote from @Anderson Banegas Cerrato: Natalia, I feel for you—it’s tough when you’re trying to do the right thing, and a tenant makes it harder.

Is San Diego too tough of a market to start out in? 

.- Your maintenance and repairs will be mostly limited to the interior of the property as the condo management will maintain the building- You won't have to worry about tenants maintaining the grounds around the buildingCons:- Condo fees may change drastically over time and it's largely not in your control- Condo bylaws can be tough to work around.

Unless you are starting with a huge amount of cash, that is going to be tough.

These type of businesses are tough to price as the market varies greatly depending on many factors. 

I’m a relatively tough critic, but I’d say REI was the only one I felt had put the effort into giving realistic numbers and owned the entire process.  

It's a little tough to find good deals these days though.

It's tough, the rents have gone up so quickly over the last few years that rentometer has had a tough time keeping up.