Buying a single family home first or buying a duplex?

I currently own two single family properties in Milwaukee.

No live in Pennsylvania.thank you Have the family clear out the unit.

I worked for a group of real estate investors when i lived in Phoenix Arizona for about 3 years before having to move closer to my family here in Columbia, SC.

Because you have the potential to move around a bunch, it would be worth looking to find a small multi-family property where you can live in one unit and rent the others.

I am trying to raise money from Friends and Family for putting together the down payment needs.

"I will buy at least one single-family home, duplex, triplex, or fourplex before the end of 2019") and then do it.

It depends on how much capital you have but I recommend either house hacking (3.5% - 5% down) a 2-4 unit property or you'll need 20-25% down for a non-owner occupant purchase which comes with higher rates.I would say house hacking is not an option for me, because I have a family with 2 kids (need good schools). 

Someone smart enough with enough influence to get the family to sell.

Do you know how much it would cost to find land and build a 2-4 family there?