Marion. A suggestion: Wait and buy a duplex or move somewhere where you can buy a duplex. You will probably have to sacrifice your dream home/dream neighborhood visions. Live there for a few years until you get the hang of being a landlord if you are not already expert at that. You stay there until you retire and you live mortgage free with enough income to pay for maintenance,taxes adn insurance, plus some necessities of living. Alternatively if things go well you get good cash flow after a couple of years you buy more or buy the dream home(with some work history behind you) with the security of being able to return to the duplex if things don’t work out great. If we get a boom,15 years from now, you sell or keep the stuff.
None of this would hinder your ability to do some of the things others are suggesting. In fact it will help. Buying a nice 2 story house, as you have described to be to your liking, could mess up your goals. Whether you buy an sfr or multi-unit definitely study buyer’s assistance programs.