HI Orlando,Congrats on your first steps to obtaining a first live in rental/house hacking property.I would recommend a fourplex from an income perspective however, your own preferences will dictate if you'll be comfortable living in a fourplex versus a 2 or 3 unit instead.From the financial perspective the fourplex will be the best option to cover and may even provide net positive cash flow after all expenses are paid (mtg payment, tax, insurance, utilities, repairs, etc).From a VA perspective to qualify you'll need:90 days of continuous service for an active veteran during wartime 181 days of continuous service for an active veteran for peacetime periodsnational guard and coast guard or reservists need 6 years of service to become VA financing eligible.What I see is that is that often times proving primary occupancy may be difficult for an active veteran especially if you are not currently living in the vicinity of the property you're looking to purchase.

The location is in the Central West End of St.

If it slopes south your ok if it slopes east it's a beast ; if it's west that's the best; north well by now you ve probably figured it out.

These spikes in deal flow are already being seen from coast to coast; from Orange County, CA to Maryland, to Florida.

While I know that one must always use good judgement in these areas, which are mostly purple on the City Data map, I've never felt unsafe in the same way I feel unsafe in a bad area of West Palm or Fort Lauderdale.

Cal is very hard to find deals in these days I understand, which is why so many all over California are looking to invest out of state, and away from the west coast.

Pad rent only for the whole park, at a 9-10% Cap Rate as the area I am look at on the East Coast has others that have sold for between 8.5-9% Cap.

Great way to pick up some good info and possibly a deal.I have listed below some Rules of Thumb we use.Good luckPaulExpensesTaxes  (80% Purchase Price) x (Mill rate) = TaxesInsurance $250 per door (this could be higher, depending on if property is closer to coast, the claim history, if in flood zone, etc)Repairs & Maintenance (R&M)  $300–$600 per door Contractors and material, Carpet Cleaning, Keys and Locksets, Make ReadyGeneral Administration  $100-250 per doorManagement Fees Typically 4% of Total Income for larger propertiesMarketing/Advertising $100 per doorUtilities Take historical from last year, annualize this year’s, compare & then take the higher of the two. 

@Fred Heller mine is 4 miles west of the galleria mall before westchase (9200 westheimer). 

I am going to be at the Breakers in West Palm this Sunday to Friday, May 15th