I am also interested in smaller multi-family rentals and mobile home parks around NM.I look forward to learning!

My suggestion would be save up for down payment and buy a multi family with an FHA loan.

I’m thinking of going forward with a single-family house buy & hold strategy and do trade-ups for multi-units property in the future.

I'm not interested in keeping track of Tenant names, leases terms, SD's, etc; just financials.

I have heard other investors moving from one multi family to another multi family using FHA financing.

Later, when you have contacts, negotiating skills and a track record, there are creative ways to do more without funds, but it's not a way to try to start.That being said, the most important thing you can do is network network network.

Flipping: I have seen my sister do a few (strictly part time/diy), but I want to fast track it using the best methods and avoiding pitfalls. 

@Arturo Colmenero you could try referencing zoning maps to look for multi family pockets but your best bet would be to subscribe to a service like Reonomy for example if you’re serious about finding multi family properties

Buying rehabbing and selling houses and buying multi units to rent are completely different business models.

Trying to house hack in a multi family fixer upper in a decent and safe neighborhood.