This forum is not a place to discuss business its purely entertainment and I hate to say it Bigger Pockets is a place for people to get scammed.   

With my demanding full-time job and inability to outbid the all-too-common NYC cash buyers, I don't have enough free time to hunt down the affordable hidden deals (assuming there are any!)

And keep asking questions on here.As far as the # of units go, I would try and buy as many units I as could afford.  

It's more important for this project to succeed than I can tell you.I know any investor is going to want to see detailed business plans and drawings for the project's design, but I certainly can't afford to hire an architect to draw up a layout.In short, I am in the same position as a man who needs badly to relieve himself and has no pot to catch the stream.

Because there isn't an almost endless supply of affordable/low income housing.

Joshua Dorkin and Brandon Turner have been educational and entertaining to say the least.

I can't afford it.

It's starting to look like we are priced out in our market, as anything that we can afford always seem to come with major flaws.  

I would start looking in the area using trulia, zillow or even talking to a realtor to get an idea of what is on the market, and what you are able to afford.

When you can afford to not have a paycheck for 3-12 months and it not bring your entire house of cards downI've been full-time for 2yrs but I live in a duplex, have no debt except student loans, and spent years honing my craft at living below the poverty so can easily survive leaner times if they occur.