With current interest rates, I would def do 20% downAs Joe mentioned to answer your question, its not an either or scenario with these two different metrics, but I think you're not looking broadly enough and maximizing your returns should be the focus.What strategy will get you the best returns (cash flow, equity paydown, appreciation) for the capital invested.

Are their values defined and are people held accountable to them? 

Investopedia defines occupancy fraud as a scheme used by investors to qualify for higher loan-to-value ratios and lower out-of-pocket costs on purchases, in addition to lower mortgage rates.

I know there is always the option of finding my first deal out of the city (in-state/not in LA or out of state), however, would like it to be local (might even be a live in situation with tenants for a year while I plan for my second door).My broad goals (being a newb, I’m sure the finer details will come with time):Long-term (next 5-10 years): “Retire” from my low $100Ks career with a diversified portfolio compromised of real estate (primary) and investments through 401K + supplemental Roth IRA (secondary).

Real estate is really broad with wholesaling, fix and flips, Air BnB, buy and hold, commercial stuff etc so forth you get the idea.

It's a fun, hard to define (and unfalsifiable) word that is hard to challenge when the card is pulled.

That being said if you do decide to go the partnership route you want to make sure to clearly define everyones role, responsibilities, capital contributions, loan guarantor roles, decision making authority and exit from the partnership if someone wants out.

But on the other hand I would be locking up a good amount of my capital.For the BRRRR it would be great to get some cash flow and recap my money in the near term, but I am a bit concern of buying my first property in a relatively fairway market (as prices in the surroundings of greater LA are pretty high).I am really on the fence and it would be great to get some thoughts or hear about someone’s experience.Thanks,PedroPedro,Some good suggestions here, but there're all broad and from out-of-staters.

And while these are just very broad, high level projected numbers that will take levels of creative financing I’m learning and have yet to discover, I’m kind of lost on how exactly my student loan comes to play in all this.

You've got a lot of variables going on here, and I think the first step is to clearly define your goals.