I can see the appeal that is for sure, the turnover process would probably be much faster. 

It might help get a renter faster but its a judgement call. 

What I have quickly learned is that one good option for growing larger, at a faster pace, is to partner.

A lower EMD will help but if you are getting them under contract at the right price then they will sell sooner then later and your bank roll will more than cover your EMD needs.

However, the portfolio will grow much faster if you were able to get rental income from the existing home,  I don't have multi family experience but you are at a perfect place (hayward) to buy cash-flowing single family properties.  

Maybe a baby step would convince them:Buy a duplex-fourplex, using a mortgageMove in to part of it and rent the rest outUse the rent from the other units to aggresively pay down the mortgageBoom - you are living for free, and paying down debt on a home far faster than you could if you had to pay the mortgage without help from the tenants.

That said, an A/B neighborhood tends to increase in value faster than a C/D neighborhood. 

Buying a business is a faster way for income but you'll need to factor in a bigger churn rate and be ready for some baggage.   

Once you find a good deal you can act faster since you are now prequalified.

For me, I love RE, enjoy dealing with tenants, want to expand, and just saying the word leverage makes me breath faster.