Most MTRs can be anywhere from 1.5-3x the normal LTR rent.

This would normally depend on the condition of the property and the Condition of the tenant.  

Focusing just on appreciation causes people to take on negative cashflow situations, gambling that the market will eventually save them before they run out of cash.

These groups are often in flux about where they meet, when they meet, how often they meet, so this is meant to be a general resource.NTAREI- https://ntarei.com/ Normally meets about 2x a month in North Dallas at the Holiday Inn at Preston and LBJ NE corner.

Having two open loans for the property is not ideal as that's double closing costs but maybe that is a fairly normal strategy?

Lots of ways to start, but I normally recommend figuring out your WHY, and then match that WHY/your goal, with a location.

Are you willing to gamble your life and those of your family on, "being accountable for your rentals", "being a good landlord", or "maintaining your properties correctly and being decent to your tenants"?

Its a gamble to go the permit route or not in Philly and absolutely matters the neighborhood/your neighbors as they are usually the folks that will call L&I on you OR if your property is near other construction sites where inspectors would be traveling to/from. 

I haven’t run the credit checks yet because I normally would simply reject when I was informed the required credit scores weren’t met.

@Cory Gamble do you have their contact number