I also love browsing book stores and examining the TOC, Index and skimming a few paragraphs - - it's not a waste of time and you and your significant other can always go to dinner thereafter :)Here's the path we took to our MFU 6-units:looked for a property which produced a cash flow - - not interested in property appreciation values, but needed to avoid red inkthis implies learning how to evaluate a rentals economic health and value (what are GSI, NOI, expense ratio, DSCR, cash/cash and cap rates). 

I've found the best way to answer this question myself is to examine my financial life from a 30,000 ft view.

The agents are doing you a favor yet you have the nerve to make these totally uneducated comments.

I am a super duper newbie and I am so nervous to get started, this information has calmed my nerves a bit.

It's nerve-racking, but a rush if you can get it done and help the homeowner avoid losing their home at auction.

@Shepheard Adi I believe that with any tax planning or financial services firm you go with, you should always look to see what type of ROI you can generate on your investment with the team(s) both in the short term/immediate future (tax savings for example), but also try to examine how the LT relationship would be and let that play into your overall ROI analyses.

You need to examine the mortgage first, will you use 10YFRM at very least ?

That, in every state I've examined is a license-required activity." - Incorrect.

I'm particularly interested in duplexes or triplexes that might be able to offer positive cash flow within the first year.I've spent countless hours researching cities, examining listings, and analyzing population growth trends, but I'm sure there are hidden gems (cities) I've yet to discover. 

The good thing about that is that it forces you to really examine your market and get a good grasp on what the competition is offering and how it's being priced.