It can be a great option, or it could be a terrible option - running your numbers as Michele mentions above will help you choose the right path.Many of us have worked with HML's, and as selfish as it is - I don't give out my best guys because they are relatively small and they might not have enough in their coffers for my next deal if they get too busy with other investors.Also many lenders work only with specific types of deals in specific geographic regions. 

So what I was truly asking is if it is possible to start that small or should I keep working on saving every dollar for another 6 months and amass more savings before I even think about getting a rental property?

Since this will be a part-time job for me aside from my work full time job, I plan to start small, with just a single triplex or quadplex.

@Cherrell Thomas cash flow is the profit that's left after debt service, property taxes, property management, common utilities (if any), reserves for repairs (small things like leaky faucets, AC servicing, etc), and capital expenditures or capEx (larger things like a new roof,new HVAC, major plumbing overhaul...these are treated differently on taxes, written off over a specified longer period) and other expenses.The first item I mentioned, debt service, is where the answer to your question is.

If you think it is something you might want to learn and switch over to then you might could partner in the office with someone experienced and they get most of the fee and you get a small amount.It would be a disservice to a buyer client to try to do it on your own without experience. 

@Michael Evans , coincidentally I bumped into an SBA loan specialist a couple of weeks ago and talked to him about the possibility of applying for an SBA loan to acquire small multi-family properties. 

@Jeff Stansberry Jacksonville has several small multi families but they rarely stay on the open market.

There is a small concrete rectangular channel that separates the 2 homes (it's in a subdivision). 

I'd even pay a small fee for this.I don't charge for applications. 

So financing it is an issue.I have experience with several remodels, additions and gut rehabs for my properties where I was the GC (planning, permits & inspections, subcontracting)I can probably start small and purchase cheaper properties with cash (around $100k+) and rehab/remodel/rent/flip and build up a portfolio.