I 100% agree with everything JD said, as his approach is exactly how I handle clogged pipes for all of my rental properties. 

Again, a buyer's agent working for you would handle all of this nonsense.

This is something I would have to dig into your background on to properly advise on which asset class might be better for you and also how much management intensity you desire and/or can handle.3.)

And make sure you have the financial resources to handle that. 

Building relationships and finding the right deals will be key to your success - also make sure to start out small and go from there - don't get into something too big/you can't handle.

How does one handle requests for housing on FF that are way below your target rent?

Do you have the professionals you need to start an LLC, do the proper real estate/tax accounting, solid contractors to rehab or prepare the property, and a property manager to handle the day-to-day operations? 

By leveraging real estate in areas with lower entry points and higher returns, you can grow your wealth more effectively without the heavy financial burden of a luxury home.

If you choose an area or decide to work with people who will take up more time due to the low cost of entry, you may end up paying more in the long run. 

If you can buy something habitable, and rehab it over time while you live there, that could be a home run of an investment when you look at your return on investment, especially if you house hack.Sure you may leave cash in the deal, but if you buy right, it could still be an extremely profitable and low-barrier to entry way to get into real estate.