So you can start with a dup, or quad, or even a larger property - as long as you educate yourself first and take action!

You could likely find good ones by talking to some of the other larger investors in your area.

I get $450-$500 for recently renovated, 1 bedroom units in the International District and those are only getting $537-$556 for 2 bedrooms.

The larger benefits you get from investing in residential real estate are from the mortgage pay,down and the capital appreciation over a long period (as prices can always go down in the short term). 

This contractor had both of his employees who were handling the work quit, and after 7 weeks of trying to renovate 2 units, we made the decision to part ways and refund the money he was overpaid for work not completed. 

All units are currently vacant, so we could get in there and renovate everything.https://drive.google.com/open?

@Marisa RoweWhat's your budget for the renovations?

There are also renovation loans if you have 4 or less financed properties.

They were all with the same appraiser and he used all of the same comps for all 3 properties - they were livable, but renovated for tenants (so, didn't have granite counters etc).

If you meant 3 years, then I would get a loan that doesn't have a prepayment penalty after the third year.Interest-only loans can help you cash flow while performing renovations during the first few years.