This is basically what you need.

I basically figured I could reduce my dad's rent (he pays 45% less) and pay the overwhelming majority of the costs by renting out the other unit.

Basic question:I'm trying to get my ducks in a row with banking solutions.

I would be willing to drive out as far as Butte (some nice neighborhoods in Butte are very comparable to some multi-families in Great Falls) to do a showing for you. 

I know my local area though and those rules are the very basic first step to qualify a closer look. 

Basically I go on Zillow and find homes in the price range (50-100k) and then find rentals in the same zip code and then decide if I can get at lease a $300 positive cash flow?

The goal after that is to get enough monthly cash flow to basically make my monthly mortgage payment.

This sound silly, but I'm not sure I understand the basics of hard money. 

@Mike Bales I'm going to second others here, you're looking at negative cash flow even with the most basic assumptions about expenses.

Anna  EXACTLY HUGE difference with no money or fully levered transactions .. and someone trying to do real estate with no finances or working capital.. keep in mind its the gurus and book sellers that talk about how you can do deals with no money and OPM.. and this happens for sure.. but usually for people that have working capital and understand the basics of real estate transactions.the wholesaling gig where folks think this is the way to break into the business is just fantasy..maybe bird dogging.. were your just talking and trying to refer people to others who can actually transact.