@Victor Nguyen for starting out either is fine if the numbers work, but if you do a duplex I would recommend starting with the a side-by-side duplex the first time you do one rather than a multi-floor building.The reason being is that managing multis (duplexes) with tenants living over each other come with different problems such as noise complaints, and can limit your options accepting pets.

I would live in the vacant unit.

You've lived in the property for at least a year which is the expectation for FHA loans.

Not to say that you can't jump to long distance investing right away but if you don't have any experience I would try to at least invest in one property within a 1-2 hour drive from where you live.

You would just open one in the state you live in (or the state you're investing in). 

You need to keep in mind the person that was living in your property is a seasoned lowlife.

There are other cash shortfalls that will come up, which you will need to cover, especially if your stretched at the very start.Work on your own living arrangements as your first investment. 

I live in AZ, left to live in CA for 14 years, then moved back in 2007. 

Seems like the sensational answer would be to direct me to a YouTube video explaining how to acquire property with “no money down.”

I have a tenant who has lived in our 4 plex for almost 15 years, long before my husband and I purchased it 6 years ago.