I hope you don't mind if I respond here as I feel it is a good question and a complex (somewhat controversial) issue.

Underwriters just gave up on my with traditional mortgages.... as the documentation requirements for traditional mortgages are too many on each property... they basically refused to proceed because my file was too complex.

Even consider your liquidated house net proceeds to use as a 20% downpayment on a small apartment complex.

First consider your current assets and what you are protecting with the complex and often costly to set up business structures.

Agree, I use Zillow and craigslist and also calling around to the larger complexes and pretending I'm a perspective renter.

Here is an overview of the units I have purchased....4 of the units were purchased from 5 different owners for various prices that were condo units in the same complex that I already own units.

Here is an overview of the units I have purchased....4 of the units were purchased from 4 different owners for various prices that were condo units in the same complex that I already own units.

The calculation becomes a bit more complex as you have to calculate the cost of two loans now.

My goals are to continue to acquire and hold, moving up to larger multi family complexes.

It really makes sense on larger apartment complexes but benefit can be realized on even small ones like my 8-plex.