A couple of weeks ago, I came across an awesome off-market deal on a hundred-year-old house a few weeks ago and thought all I had to do was renovate it and I would have myself a nice little home to live in long term.

I like the West Mobile area, its class A area, you can definitely find deals there, 3 bedroom with 2 bathroom for around 220k or so, you may have to wait a couple of years for positive cash flow but properties there increasing in values better than others.

Do not wait for the 30 days.A couple of options to raise money: If you receive at any given time a return during tax season.

If you are limited to those areas for residency, and you choose to keep that job, you are going to have to either a) wait for a couple years and save up a heftier down-payment, b) change your strategy like you said and go for houses further away (do flips, STR or BRRR).Or, if you are sold on the house-hack concept, at some point you might have to look at a different job that allows you to move where house-hacking will work....

I'm seeing 125-150 per unit vs couple years ago you could get them for 80-100 per unit. 

We include a couple days of essentials like toilet paper, etc to get them by. 

Small places are for couples.

If the goal is to refinance within the next couple of years it could make sense. 

Obviously the net number is what's most important to sellers typically but I have found escaltion clauses and offering free rent backs to the seller are just a couple of ways to make your offer stand out. 

Even if you have to travel a couple of hours, you have a much better chance of finding someone.How to approach a mentorOnce you've found a likely candidate, it's time to reach out and ask.