A little about me:I moved to Texas from Phoenix AZ in 2007 as a Army infantryman fresh out of basic training.

I am a UPS driver in Queens in fresh meadows and a single family house is at 900k and a duplex is over 1Mill.  

I'll start using a 20% total reserve and another 10% for property management if I decide to go that routeI'm currently looking at 3 bedroom 1/2 baths in Garden city and Dearborn heights.

Bringing it home, I'd start by getting a handle on what your home would lease for and what the market value is and compare that with what you could achieve with a freshly purchased rental property (in any area you are keen on investing in, not just your neighborhood).

Have been doing flips since 2018, and just finished my first New Construction house at 900 Garden Villa Court, 78704.Has anyone in Austin started 3D printing any projects? 

With gas I'd be more cautious (I personally have installed gas water heaters and gas appliances but I am not comfortable recommending you do it over the internet, and it may not be legal in your state so look into that).Cabinets - make sure they are of a good material, they can last forever if they are and just need some fresh paint when they start getting beat up, if they are already decomposing when you buy the place though you better be prepared mentally for an expensive replace.Counters - You can go cheap on replacing them but a lot of landlords are putting hard stone in now, they last longer, look better and don't cost that much more if you can get a remnant.

Not seeing any photos, but I’ll usually tear out tile and do what I want fresh unless it’s a lot of work and in Good shape currently- then Reglaze tub and tiles professionally.

I believe I've heard non-conforming can't be used for appraisal value, so does that mean I should analyze a garden unit differently when doing my numbers? 

I am fresh out of college, so I don't have the money on hand to just jump into investing into a property out of my own pocket.

A preferred deal looks like 1980-90s construction, garden style apartment communities with an office/clubhouse, and either amenities (or space for them): pool, fitness, laundry, etc.