If a few small upgrades help the property rent one or two weeks faster, that can easily pay for itself. 

and you’ll spot risk faster than most buyers.

In the Midwest, duplexes and small multis often sell below replacement cost, cash flow from day one, and let you grow your portfolio faster.

This can turn into a nightmare faster than you think.

They're not cheap, but they're faster than finding your uncle's friend who has half a million sitting around.What size deals are you targeting, and do you already have any investor relationships in your area?

Here's one angle that makes it compound faster when you get to that next purchase.When you move into the fourplex, look specifically for a seller who has a VA or FHA loan from 2019-2022.

So the move is either tighter acquisition price (70% ARV instead of 75%), or targeting properties that have faster exit profiles -- new construction neighborhoods, hot school districts, less cosmetic-heavy rehabs where the square footage does the selling.Light rehabs and wholetail exits are showing up more for a reason.

For properties in appreciating neighborhoods or good school zones, I'll go to 72-74% because the exit is usually 30-40 days faster.

This allows you to deduct a significant portion of their cost much faster than the 27.5-year life of the structural remodel, maximizing your immediate tax savings.Hope that helps!

(Full disclosure: I own and operate a turnkey provider that’s active in the market.)To address your post: house hacking is definitely a good start since it’ll help you lower your burn rate and build savings faster.