All the investor friendly multi-unit properties in decent, safe neighborhoods get multiple offers above asking, including cash.

Great information and I have a new perspective to move forward with!

In my area those are either super run down duplexes or in super sketchy areas.My next plan was to try to find a decent single family home with multiple bedrooms and rent out the other rooms, but I wanted to try to avoid the whole roommate situation.My next plan was to try to buy a condo or townhouse because they are cheaper, but then I am paying the entire mortgage myself for about the same price as just renting an apartment.Do any of these ideas sound worth it and possible with only being able to spend a maximum of 7k out of pocket?

I have been reading about the folks getting multiple units. 

@Lisa Li most investors do hold mortgages for long periods of time, they just have multiple mortgages.

There is a great power in multiplication. 

FHA is such a nice option for first-timers that many think it's a first time homebuyer program (it's not), but once you start getting into multiple rentals and this "nomad" strategy, FHA is rarely the model match.

It may be done where they are multiple marriages, children from prior relationships or other reasons.

Thanks especially to @Jay Hinrichs who introduced me to MULTIPLE service providers in the space who can assist me.

And if the GC gets a sense that you're working with multiple GCs, they will not bother to show up.