Or are you more interested in (and willing to) engage in more of a slower, relationship-oriented approach to negotiating? 

Multiple articles just came out about a huge jump in flood insurance, at least in the Northeast.

Where I am houses are going under contract with multiple full ask offers on 2 days.  

A lot of folks are starting funds now to do multiple deals, that may be worth considering for your situation, rather than single asset syndications.

I am considering doing 2 things. 1.) buy a duplex/triplex/quad2.) buy multiple single family homesI want to be able to make the most bang for my buck as I am just getting in to real estate. 

We want to get engaged and get married In 2 years then buy a house.

I'm personally working with multiple investors that are completely pulling out of Portland for the foreseeable future and heading South to Bend or Medford-area.

I'm looking for a lender who has a good program for investors that own multiple homes and or commercial properties. 

Made multiple offers in the area at over market, lost them all.

If you're going to build multiple 4plexes, try to split into separate parcels so that you can qualify for conventional financing.