Younger investors, or older ones without kids and parents and dogs and other such things can certainly choose to live in a duplex unit.I don't expect this to be a game changer, although I do expect that it will change the way ADUs are appraised.

. #1 getting deals is about making lots of offers and its a numbers game and offers have contingecies.

I don't feel playing the appreciation game is the best strat after the housing market increase the past 10 months. 

For someone strapped for capital, the additional ~$10-20K saved by not having to furnish a property is a game changer.

Consumer lending seems to be more accessible for investors who are newer to the game and don't have large portfolios.

Sadly, I haven’t won the time the market right game so I doubt this time will be any different, but here I wait patiently.

is there an end-game strategy, or next step, to really start milking some equity out of these properties? 

@Isaac Hayes I have never heard of a conventional lender doing this...you're looking at single family (1-4 unit) properties...unless you are using a renovation style loan or hard money, I highly doubt any mortgage originator using conforming guidelines would touch this...Down payment is skin in the game...a lender permitting you to retain your investment account without collecting your down payment?...

If you want to invest in rental property but don't have any cash of your own, there are still ways for you to get into the game.

If it can mitigate your cost of living over the next few years, will cash flow when you move out, and there's not extreme volatility of the industry there (just a steady slow down) - I think it is worth purchasing. 2-4 unit owner occupied's are the best cash on cash in the game and a great starter education into real estate investing.