Options in my position

[Tim G.]

I have been on BP for over a year learning as much as I can and preparing for the road ahead in achieving my goals of early retirement. After researching different strategies, it seems my best option (open for discussion) is getting into multi family properties versus single families (my original goal strategy). Financially, I will be ready by this coming spring to "safely" buy my first investment (I own a SF home currently with only 3K into it). I have been entertaining investement choices for my money (CD's, stocks, etc) but from being on BP I know the most important thing for early retirement is passive income, which MF investing would ideally provide. Researching % return on investement with the choices I mentioned will never get me to my "rat race number" of passive income I need to retire young, at least not anytime soon. I have the following questions regarding my options:

1. Is my only option to put 20% down on a potential MF property if I do not want to use an FHA and live in the property for one year (Primary residence was conventional)?

2. Should I look into commercial properties even though I have no track record (besides my SF)?

3. I believe my best option is to get into a property with as many units as possible to achieve my goals faster, is this a feasible option for me or should I exclusively focus on MFR's (2,3 and 4 unit)?

Any insight into my ideas or questions will be much appreciated. 

Thank You

Tim