I'll reach out to share a bit more about what we do if you are interested in hearing another perspective.

I think this is a calculation a lot of homeowners are making right now--especially if they have a low interest mortgage, equity, and their house will cashflow as a rental.The choice is a personal one of course, but I think your future self will thank you if you pull out some equity from your existing home with a HELOC for the downpayment on the next house and a cushion renting your current home, use a property manager as you have other things to do, and buy the next house and do the same thing again.

So what do they do to "find the next great deal"?

Do they know something I don't ? 

For firsts I have seen one company recently doing 30%+ on first position liens.

Do a cost seg study and take bonus depreciation to offset other income.

I do find it fascinating that I've heard from several developers that they are building/built apartment units for the long term, which to me sounds a bit risky.  

What steps do I need to take to make sure I can get this going as smoothly as possible especially when it comes to resale in the future?

Do yourself a solid, sit right next to them and learn how to do it.

.- The bathroom sink is leaking—do you pay a plumber or fix it yourself?