First time investor buying during the recession

[Account Closed]

Hello guys,

I hoping to get some of your opinions on buying durn the recession since I due planning on buying my first small multi family unit using the house hacking method in early 2020 and well durn the 2008 recession I was only 8 years old. 

Option A) 
Wait for the recession to pass and allow myself to save up more money to put a bigger down payment on next property and further education and read books such as "Recession-proof Real Estate Investing" by J. Scott

Option B)

Put only 3.5% down using a FHA loan. ( Credit Score would qualify)

Option C) 
Put down a 15-20% down payment on the property.

[Kevin S.]

@Account Closed they have been predicting a recession for years now, so I would in no way count on there being one in 2020 when you are planning to buy. And even if there is a recession, you most likely aren't going to see the impact on housing prices (in my opinion) that were seen during the previous recession. Regarding your choices A, B, and C:

A) If there is a recession going on (and I'm not saying there will be) and prices are lower, why would you pass on getting in when prices are lower?

B) A reasonable choice

C) Not sure why you would put down 15-20% when you could go with option B and only put down 3.5%. The only reasons I could come up with are 1) avoiding PMI and 2) the property you want to purchase needs rehab and therefor wouldn't qualify for FHA 3) you are buying an investment property but not living there (in which case you would be putting down more like 20-25%. If either 1) or 2) are your reason, then you could go with a conventional loan and probably only have to put down 5% (maybe 10%).