Analyzing duplex/triplex deals

[Derek Epperson]

Hey everybody. Making a move to do a different city/state soon for new job and contemplating looking at buying a duplex/triplex my family and I could also live in for the first year until we get more familiar with the area to buy another single-family. I'm a newbie in REI so thought this would be a way to get started then have an income property after we buy another single-family.

Two questions:

1. What's a good formula to evaluate such properties?

2. Being new to an area, what's the best way to find these properties?

Thanks!