I am looking for any recommendations on how to properly scale this idea over the first few years conservatively and not wanting to over use leverage and debt by starting small in duplex and being open to triple/quadplex in the future if the right opportunity presents itself.

Building department can advise on specific next steps - municpal hearing and presentation of plans will be required in most cases. 

A single family house with a small HOA can still present a lot of risk, so tread lightly. 

To clarify, my focus isn’t on analyzing T-12s for purchasing a property but rather on developing a solid T-12 for managing my property effectively and for use when I eventually sell my investment property in the future.I want to ensure the T-12 I create is both accurate and straightforward, serving as a reliable tool for tracking performance over time and presenting the property’s financials to potential buyers down the road.If you have any advice on key elements to include or how to structure it for these purposes, I’d greatly appreciate your insights.

I am very concerned about so many investors being presented with questionable marketing practices and charging such high prices for information.

I don't ever stiff the housekeeper and if this was a long term tenant who needed to break early I would do it but probably not in this case, again unless regs require or mom presents a more compelling case. 

The current real estate environment that we've been in for the past several years hasn't presented any opportunities for deals like this.Because of the above bullet point, my real estate folio is kicking off a ton of profit each year which is fully taxable at ordinary income rates for me with federal plus state that means 42%From day one we've always self-managed everything, and built a great team of sub’s and handymen in every area, so that I’ve never had to do any labor.

I've used an online designer before, you send her photos, measurements of the room and existing furniture, and your budget and she presents you with design options and the links to buy!

Here is a youtube video from the presenter.

What are some areas in the state that wouldn't present any challenges in finding a tenant?