Pick a screening platform/application that makes sense for you.As for meeting the applicants, I recommend meeting them at the property to show the place to them rather than getting coffee or food with them.

, and how do you figure there's less risk?

-The mention of syndication being less risky than HML...I'd suggest it is more risk, possibly much much more since you don't know whether you are good or bad at vetting the operator right now.

Thats your bonafides to being able to do future deals.As mentioned above, keep your credit perfect.

Duplexes cash flow better, have less risk, AND EASIER TO MANAGE compared to a SFH.  

Not considering it will take years of perfect rental with no vacancy or capex just to “break even” with where they are today. 

And again, you'll get advice from posters that could not care less whether you follow it to the "T". 

The offer to “help” hopeful participants obtain increases in their credit card limits6.

Avoid PMI and then go to a local credit union and get a heloc after closing to gift the money back.Have this as a tool in your tool belt but pursue use of the 3.5% FHA, knowing that you will be at a competitive disadvantage if you are competing with non FHA buyers, then you can call in the favor from your gift person.Just know that if someone gifts you down payment money, your bank will require them to sign a letter stating that it is in fact a gift that doesn’t need to be paid back.

I got so lucky - the first 3 years, during the depths of the pandemic, I had a perfect tenant, no problems, even during the storms.