It could be a great option for your client's needs, or at the very least, a starting point for comparison with other lenders.

Quote from @Gregg Hutton: As a realtor who started as an investor first, I’ve noticed a huge mindset difference between investors and traditional homebuyers.

Do you also use Redfin/Zillow as a starting point? 

Start with BiggerPockets Ultimate Beginners Guide (free).

That said, even with conservative rental income estimates, my living expenses would eventually drop to several hundred dollars less than what I’m currently paying in rent once the house hack starts generating income.I do have cash reserves to weather some rough patches, but the idea of pushing my budget this hard makes me uneasy.

I am excited to start building my portfolio and learning all I can.

Since I’m holding these properties for the long term (30-year loans), I’ll have fully paid-off assets around the same time I’d traditionally start withdrawing from my 401(k).

Hi Aidan, when you first started you can create your partnership agreement per deal depending on what your end goal is for the property. 

I have couple of lists but not sure which one to start with. 

Raising money is all about marketing and sales (not real estate specific) so either hire marketing agency and read sales books, or hop on some LinkedIn courses on marketing and sales.Not sure the legal structure to use: talk to accountants and attorneys.Need deal flow: talk to brokers and go to a lot of networking events.Lending terms: start calling banks and loan brokers.From there, it is all risk mitigation.