It's performed well (except for the air conditioner broke) but was also more work than anticipated.Part of the question with regards to house-hacking is your current living situation. 

I can give you some advice and/or tips if you like. 

What are your tips on finding and evaluating areas to purchase?

Like every investment asset, real estate investing is not risk-free.And many more.....Answering these above questions will allow you to ask your potential real estate agents the right questions.Remember that the quality of your questions has a direct correlation to the quality of the answers you get. 

For cash flow-focused investments, consider neighborhoods on the west or south sides, like Speedway or Southport, but be mindful of local market trends and tenant quality.

The second offer is both insulting to you and also tips their hand because if they have ~$50k in cash then they should be able to put down a higher down payment if they are serious about the property. 

It will depend on the quality you're looking for..

Tips or tricks that would help make transactions go smoother.

And don’t forget to check out Airbnb host groups—hosts love to share tips and contacts.For setting up your place, a smart lock is a must—it makes check-ins so much easier.

Professional staging, virtual tours, and high-quality photos can help them envision how the space fits their lifestyle, whether it’s for entertaining, work, or family.To overcome the “biggest house in the neighborhood” concern, shift the focus to its uniqueness and lifestyle potential.