The buy and hold strategy has shifted more to an equity play rather than the cash flow play we have all been taught and love. 

I'm a cash-flow investor not a speculator so this is purely academic

I am a first time real estate investor looking the following property : https://www.redfin.com/OR/Forest-Grove/2418-Cedar-Cir-97116/...its a pretty large duplex in Forest Grove OR,  the trick is though, its on a lot zoned for a 4 plex so I am lookinginto house hacking, converting into a triplex, then living in one unit while renting out the remaining two unitsThe left garage has been converted to living space, with a living room, half bath, a laundry room with a sink and some counters/cupboards and a bedroom, it is a part of what was an existing 3bd unitIf I were to acquire the asset, I would first attempt to convert that space into its own unit The line items as I see (be in mind, I am totally new to this) would be to >put up dry wall where the door to the rest of the house is,>add a shower to the half bathroom >install a water heater in the adjacent 3bd unit> install a kitchen in the laundry room, (stove , oven , sink, counter space)>add a shower to the half bath Assuming I can convert it to a 3plex, I could at-least cash flow on my investment after I leave My plan would be to put minimum down payment of 3.5% (FHA loan) that way I can have a decent amount of capital free to do the renovationsThe only concern is when I crunch the numbers to get my ROI, I have no idea how much its going to cost to convert the additional living space to a third unitAny experienced investors here know how I can estimate this before I try to make an offer?

You can also LTR, MTR or STR your home in San Diego so that it cash flows, and with the extra $$$, you can use it to pay your monthly mortgage in Seattle. 

My initial strategy was house hacking but the cash flow isn’t steady and utilities bills are killing me.

KEEP - Cash Flow: $664- CoC Return: 12% - Equity: $175k- Total Left In Deal: 66k SALE107k profit https://www.biggerpockets.com/brrrr-calc/1809608.pdf?

Investment Info:

Other commercial investment investment.

Purchase price: $300,000

Cash invested: $80,000

Let me paint a picture for you of this amazing cabin we've got in the Red River Gorge. Pictur...

But this sounds to me like it may be in line with a Cash Flow Advance Program that's available.

I do not do month-to-month leasing as it is a disrupter of cash flow. 

I own this own now for almost 4 years and it grosses almost $6k/mo. with around $2000-$2500 in cash flow.