Sometimes the thing to do is to make a bunch of money, save it, and then invest once you have some real capital together.

There will be vacancies, maintenance, capital expenses, and miscellaneous expenses.  

Sorry, but renovations to your personal residence are a capital expense and not deductible. 

If you are interested in multifamily, I am sure that the state you plan to settle in has an affiliate chapter of the National Apartment Association. 

. - If you live in the house for more than 2 years, you may be able to sell without paying capital gains taxes.

In short, I am looking for general comments on what is seen nationally for a $1,392,000 purchase.

Get paid 5% for X years, delay the capital gains hit and make more money from the interest payments while being relieved of the stress as a landlord. 

I was planning on starting one later on  down the road, but if I can get more capital than  I'll look into it now.

Generally, shipping containers are used as a way to expand an existing self storage facility with minimal capital outlay (the containers can be leased) and as a way to increase revenue without improving the property that would generate an increase in property taxes. 

I know a commercial real estate agent who works for a national commercial real estate firm, who primarily works in Hudson County and has experience with 1031 exchanges.If you are interested, I could message you his contact information.