More and more I see buyers look online, drive out to the house, and then while sitting in front of the house, CALL. 

Cost will likely be around $120 - $160 / sqft depending on finish out and how much one the existing house needs to change.

But mostly buy a house with a large lot in a high-density area.   

Suggesting to them buying their house for a wholesale range offer or lower dependent on the extent of the rehab, then having a contract in place that gives them a percentage of the profit to help get them back on their feet, paying off debts etc.

I just had a tenant that tried to rent one of my houses and YTD income in September was bigger that YTD income in December.

Quote from @Paul Lucenti: What's up everybody Me and my wife are looking to buy a house out in Suffolk.

About 1/3 were in limbo--neither rebuilding nor selling, while owners tried to decide what to do--sell, rebuild, or fight with the insurance company--or just didn't have the money to rebuild and didn't want to sell. 

My past clients were in a tough spot and needed to sell asap.

They are now selling resulting in a 100% loss for investors. 

If house hacking isn't the best option for me, how would you recommend starting out to build up some investments.