I'd like to save up some cash in the short term and maybe take the plunge on buying a duplex or triplex if an affordable one pops up near me.

This high down payment amount is not something I can afford at any point in the near future.That I'm aware, there isn't a local real estate investors club or meet-up group where I can talk to others who invest locally - so I'm a bit stuck for advice here.Ultimately, I'd like to get my foot in the door in this business as soon as possible, but the financial barriers to entry seem almost insurmountable here in the Cayman Islands.

We could live on my RE cash flow, but we could not afford to live the way we want to.

Therefore the household income has little to do with the affordability in correlation with home prices.

I don't know about anybody else, but I am very frustrated. 

We can't afford to buy a house or condo already built but we can and are planning to buy a half acre to acre lot to build a home on in Eagle, CO not too far away.

I am most interested in long term rentals, mostly in upstate NY near Buffalo (it's just a tad more affordable and less restrictions than Manhattan!)

I completely understand your frustration and am very sorry for the challenges you have encountered. 

Someone please enlighten me, for someone looking for something affordable to own. thanks in advance!

@Andre Eakins The key is to figure out how much you can afford on a regular basis, and then commit to doing that same amount every month.