Focus on saving, building your credit, and connecting with local investors.

Hey Jon would recommend checking out FB groups if you aren't local (looks like you're based in the Bay).

@Grant Shipman Great stuff, I'm a big fan of co-living/rent by room strategy, and I do it here locally in Denver metro, and it is the best strategy in today's market for any house hacker to live for free or make money while living there, but they have to sacrifice personal space.

I started a new post asking people's thoughts about insurance costs in your local area and specifically costs to rebuild and other challenges:https://www.biggerpockets.com/forums/95/topics/1227051-insur...

Attend your local REI meet-ups and try to find someone who is currently house-hacking or has house-hacked in the past to learn from their experience.

Or his investment/local area. 

Your best bet would be to connect with local operators and ask them.

Let me know if you'd like to set up a meeting since we are local.

That needs to come from a local attorney. 

We have a local competitor that brags they don't charge a maintenance markup, yet we know:1) They charge owners $60/hour for their handyman2) How much do you think they're paying their handyman?