Cannot afford specialised attorney.

I provide affordable, safe, and fully functioning housing, and they give me rent payment in exchange.

Set up a plan and budget go over materials you want and can afford for it figure out whats worth the effort and whats not but of course first things first set up with a hard working A player real estate agent to help you find the best deals.

Although this will be offset with affordability.

I have worked in affordable housing in NYC.  

Basically what I'm asking is how are people doing the buy and hold on 4-5 units and affording it while there are vacancies.

$1000 to $3000 depending on what u can afford.

indeed, some areas of California can be a tough nut to crack, especially much of Southern California and the Bay Area for example...but sometimes you can drive to outlying areas and find far more affordable property.  

it's tough to afford giving up that money early in this business. 

@Linval T.