This town is predominately single family homes, larger apartment complexes are beginning to be built and you do have duplexes but tri's and quads are rare!

It's really complex to explain here, but I will sum it up like this. 

I know it is ridiculously conservative, but I don't see me realistically flipping homes or managing multi-family complexes.

In these larger complexes (>4 units), owners often pay water and sometimes electricity. 

While our current project is a condominium development in El Tabo, Chile, I may still be able to help you.

If you haven't learned the fundamentals, study those first, then work vacant house and high-equity foreclosures where motivation and complexity may not be so great.If you have some experience, you'll need to learn the probate process in your state. 

It is close to a large new apt or condo complex.

We can also discuss that in many of the NE Ohio suburbs we have a Point of  Sale (POS) municipal assumption violation list, this list must be assumed by the new owner that you will correct al the violations defined in that city report, you will need to place 150% of that repair violation list into escrow with the city, as you can see it is booming more and more complex.

I would like to build a portfolio of multi-family properties for passive income, preferably starting with some triplexes, quadplexes, or small apartment complexes before purchasing large apartment complexes (50 units or more).

I just purchased (5) smaller complexes in Texas and am in the process of removing old carpets and going to 100% vinyl plank for about $2/sq foot installed.