A duplex or triplex is a solid choice for house hacking, and this community has tons of resources to help you learn how to find and analyze deals.

Getting multiple contractors involved will be your best bet to get a reliable estimate, though you need to come up with a scope of work.

If not, buying a turnkey, rent-ready property could be a better first bet.

I have a little bit of a choice personal problem.

I also read in real estate by the numbers that it's risky to bet on market appreciation.

Your worst-case scenario (not specific to MA) would be having to sue to get them out as a holdover, but this is really reserved for worst-choice scenarios when owners choose the first renter or don't do any due diligence.

Either choice you make will be a good one.

I know which one I would take out of those two choices.  

As the great philosopher once said, "mo' money, mo' problems".I think the reduced leverage plan is a good choice to free up some DTI but obviously the extra fees on DSCR could start to add up a little.

was it poor choice of notes.. or do you think it was straight up stealing money from their investors ?