Currently saving up money and thinking of going the live-in multi-unit route along with possibly some tax lein investing back in Indiana.  

Insurance and gas price difference on a smaller, cheaper car will save you AT LEAST $100 a month vs the truck you own now.

But if you do have that set of keys, you could save yourself a locksmith's fees in case if any emergency came up.  

My other choices are to buy a turnkey out of state (which I find very interesting but scary at the same time since I don't know many people out of state) or to just keep saving until me and my serious girlfriend are ready to settle down into a house hack.What I would love to do is buy a one a family out of state for around 100K so that I can get started in real estate and also not have to put a huge down payment so that I still have the capital to do a house hack in the future.

We do not have a lot of money saved up but may be able to put up to $20k towards an investment to get off the ground.

Those both sound like great income properties and knowing the construction side will save you thousands over your lifetime!

I've saved enough for either my first house, or my first real estate investment -- and am coming to understand that it may need to be one in the same.

Gino literally wrote the book on mom and pop apartments....Wheelbarrow Profits.Look for...Below market rentsOvergrown or not maintained landscapingDeferred maintenance on the exterior facadeNo online presence or marketing (word of mouth or signage only)All white interior paint schemesDated lighting and plumbing fixtures100% occupancy (can suggest below market rents)All rents in increments of $25 (a lot of money to be made in smaller increments)2 - 10 year residents at rent rates below new tenantsNo late fees in the P&LSelf-managing (tiring)Self-maintenance (a lot of work)

I know I can get 3 people @ 300-350 a month not including electric (I've already inquired a few good friends of mine and they've all agreed to move off campus to save some money) With that being said, I'm thinking this will cashflow about $180 per month, which sounds great to me.

I use cozy.co for tenants paying online, it's very useful and it has some good resources.