House hacking in any of these markets can be a smart way to start with lower upfront costs and transition smoothly into a rental strategy.Given your options with a VA loan or investment loan, starting by living in the property can help you maximize leverage and build equity.

Look, your smart, you laid out how you can sort your way through all these things and put together the pieces to get things done.

You'd be smart to send her a direct message.

no, everyone was smart and left that one pass with no bids.

Hiring a property manager can be smart move depending on the value of your time. 

The cost of furnish an average size house could be as low as $5,000, if you are smart and go with high quality used furnishings like John said.

Actually TALK TO THEM on the phone and/or in person, find out about their situation, and if they seem like a good fit, basically just be smart about it, and have human interactions with them, it's that simple. 

I’m looking for a checklist of everything to buy and do - from installing a smart lock to stocking kitchen basics.

If you’re looking for more areas to explore or properties to invest in, sticking with places that are buzzing with development could be a smart move!

Section 8 can be a very smart play, but it's not great for first-time investors who are not planning (and have the resources) to continue the play to understand and perfect the obligations and to ensure the best renters.