In general a self help eviction is taking a retaliatory act with the purpose of forcing or coercing a tenant to leave.

My other concern would be if I could force enough equity to get a higher appraisal than purchase price. 

I don't know I got the idea of househack after I force myself to visit all parts of city (within my budget) and try to visit 3-5 open house in a day.

Hello,I hear a lot of "legally valid" reasons one can ask/force a tenant to leave your rental in the county of Riverside, CA ( for example: "you don't need a reason, just give 60-day notice," "if you're having major construction done to the place like foundation issues," etc).

If things go south with your tenant, there are tons of protections for them to stop paying rent and/or force you to pay relocation fees. 

The only way I would see it benefiting you to sell would be if you can step up your equity again with another value-add property to force appreciation or leveraging a more valuable property.

I'm a flight test engineer by day, currently stationed at Eglin Air Force Base, FL (just across the bay from Destin). 

Some of the ones I've talked to are in really bad situations and being held hostage by their managers who are making it so difficult to get out of their contracts which is forcing them to drown.

I just buy in good locations and control what I can (forcing appreciation, managing and maintaining properties well).

I’m active duty Air Force and maxed out my VA loan with three properties.Birmingham has some cheaper properties, but may not bring the cash flow that STRs in Florida might bring.It all depends on your timeline, numbers, funds, and comfort level.