Buying your first property as a multiunit, living in one and renting the others, can be a great way to live inexpensively while saving up and earning equity. That will allow you to step up the ladder, either to other investment properties or to a single-family home that you may not have been able to afford without this type of investment. But remember that owning rental property is a business, and like every business it must be taken seriously. You must be prepared to screen tenants, do repairs, comply with municipal regulations, and assume other responsibilities. If you don't mind the second job, or if you see ownership and management as your future, landlording might be right for you!