My issue is that I live in the SF Bay Area (very expensive) and I'm here for the next three years until my daughter graduates high school. 

To give some background, she has been renting for over three years now.

Buy a three flat and get your tenants soften the blow. 

This would require three and a half percent down but it would fund the renovations of the property.

I've been told and it rings true, that you must understand what investors are looking for rather than getting a bunch of properties on contract and frantically trying to find a buying.

I'm partial to Metro Detroit where we'll see that both in the actual city and in many of the ring suburbs; however, while it isn't as commonplace as it used to be, there are still markets out there in a bunch of places across the country where it works. 

The home is in Wisconsin, and is a three unit producing 1900 a month in rental income.

Regardless of how you find them, try to interview at least three managers1.

After 11 years we just had a mixed family move out and in the last three months at any one time there could be a total of 7 people in a two bedroom.

I bought three SFHs at 2.785% in KCMO area in March with 25% down, All are rented at double the mortgage payment.