Larger properties spread your risk.Be Ready for Some Sweat Equity: Many first-time house hackers underestimate this part, but putting in a little elbow grease can drastically improve your returns.

Which is .16% of the global energy use and less than half of the energy required to mine gold. 56% of that energy, and growing, came from renewable sources. 

Real estate is a pretty efficient asset class.

Quote from @Lorraine Hadden: What are some strategies you have used to improve or rebuild credit? 

So adding one more unit to a duplex may deplete equity gain even if it improves cash flow over here. 

Not all lots are cost efficient to build on.

I want to be in this for the long haul but I still want to work as fast and efficiently as possible!!

You need to improve the property to improve the tenant.

Any recs for something that efficient and clear? 

I can make improvements that increase the value.