We begun our search for multifamily and even got preapproved for a conventional mortgage loan in the 500s with 20% down, but as we continue to evaluate many of these properties and their cash flow, it seems like a high cost of entry, ownership with a low return/cash flow.

The property is currently occupied and will continue to be after we purchase.

I'm currently in education mode which I hope to emerge from before summer's end and complete at least one deal by the end of the year.

Started my real estate education about two years ago after reading “Rich Dad Poor Dad” of course.

If I’m wrong I’d like to be educated if someone else has done the research. 

You can spend an awful lot of money on rei  education and still miss this important step Knowing your market. - Knowing theoretically how to evaluate a deal does no good in you don't know YOUR market well enough to apply it. 

I would guess that the short term future will continue to be a Fix and Flip for homes or a quick flip. 

For the past two years, I have been analyzing deals in a few markets that I am familiar with, mostly to educate myself.

He ended up hiring a no-nonsense Property Manager, but regularly visited the properties himself and presented himself to the tenants as the sometimes maintenance man.I think you should either cut yourself out of the picture entirely by hiring a PM, or continue to manage yourself and be upfront with the tenant. 

I'm very mature for my age, I have learned a lot and will continue to learn, and I am (obviously) incredibly ambitious.