I have 1 partner who provides up to 75% of the down payment, however, my goal has always been to live below my means, save money, and invest the saved money as a downpayment. 

I can speak from experience as a student at Texas A&M, I lived in a 5 br/5 b house and I knew plenty of other students who lived in similar houses or "Ag Shacks" if you will.

The wear/tear is much less for STR because the guests do not live their full-time.   

Just the other day I was able to close for a seller who is living in Taiwan and I'm located in Utah.

I live outside of Charlotte in a small town called Denver (of the East).

You want to focus on areas where you have a competitive advantage (you have lived there or you have family and friends there) and then compare those areas against widespread list of great areas to invest.Good luck!

Have enough that after you buy the property you still have 6 months of expenses in reserves that you can use for daily living.

Here are a few innovative strategies that have been game-changers for my portfolio:- Co-Living Spaces: With affordability concerns rising, co-living setups are attracting young professionals and students.

A lot of people go in expecting these programs to completely change their lives. 

Even though we live in earthquake country, this was a new experience for us.