I've done a little research and found that it would still be considered a rental property with IRS as long as I spend 14 days or less occupying it myself.

So there will be a total of nine in the house hold.

The best equity is the equity you spend (or reinvest elsewhere)  before you lose it...

Although my day time passion is helping people as Community Social Worker, I spend majority of my free time learning dreaming about becoming a successful Real Estate Investor.

(Now before I get all kinds of grief from some agents thinking I spend my day low balling offers, I don't.  

Are there any wholesalers experienced with probable that can provide some insight on if or how I can tie up the property while protecting the money we spend paying the taxes?

But, a Ph.D. education is a wonderful, socially acceptable way to say, "no, I want to spend a ridiculous amount of time learning more, for a while, before getting a 'real' job."

But once you get into 5+ units, it becomes a different game so be prepared to spend some considerable time learning the apartment sector before getting into a deal (there are a ton of great resources available).

Again I already know how much this will cost as I live on this street and I have 3 adults in my household and 1 child. 

If the seller has no equity now.. why spend money the only money your spending is to save your credit.. since there is no equity if that is the case and is very much the case in most sub too's ... so many times this ends with the new buyer just ripping rents until the houses is foreclosed.. the SEller could if they want the house they could buy the first out and then foreclose.ONe of the reasons if you do this its best to also do a wrap.. if you do a wrap you have the ability to foreclose it and get your title back.. if no wrap and just a sub too. they are in a world of hurt.