What do I give up as a first-time home-owner? (PA)

[Gregory T.]

Hi all, I'm new to BiggerPockets, and new to real estate in general.

I'm a software engineer from San Francsico looking into relocating to the Pittsburgh area Pennsylvania in the next month or two. I want to get into real estate investing in the form of rehabbing and flipping houses, and rehabbing to rent and hold 2 - 4 unit properties. Also, I'd like to live in one of these properties myself. Thats my story.

Now for my question:

I have never owned any real estate in my life. I remember hearing somewhere that there are some kind of special deals for first-time home buyers. Is this true? What kind of special deals are available only to first-time buyers that is no longer available after someone's first home purchase? What would I be giving up by making that first purchase and using up that opportunity?

Looking forward to any thoughts on this. Thanks!