I was trying to house hack thinking I could do it one time before I move into a forever home, but I wasn't able to secure a property (getting outbid) in the past 6 months, so I'm wondering if I should think of a different strategy now.So i built my home about 8 years ago.

I have tested it in the past and find that it is way off (usually on the low side) for me.  

You are wise to limit your scope to a particular type of company.I have been in the industry for the past two decades, and from my years in the business, I can recommend a couple of other companies outside of my family. 

Also, I have never used bank loans for building in the past and want the new setup to be both good from a liability point of view and something a bank will lend to. 

Over the past year, RTR has over 50 emails back and forth with this investor and mngt, attempting to sort out solutions.

I am a Canadian living and working in the US for the past 30 plus years. 

Speaking from past experiences vetting the real estate professionals that you chose is paramount.

Quote from @Avi Manthe: Hi Folks,My name is Avi, and I have previous experience with buying 2 rental properties in the past, along with working in property management for several years.

Quote from @Min Zhang: I like investing in the Midwest because it’s affordable and offers good cash flow.

Numbers get inflated by international students who are not, on majority, buying homes or staying past their schooling.