This seems likely to be the primary source of return.  

Don't be discouraged by the lower returns—house hacking is often about long-term wealth-building, and your primary residence can offset some of those mediocre numbers.Make sure you're accounting for local trends and realistic rents—sometimes expected rent growth is overly optimistic, or costs like repairs might be underestimated.

I come from a family of landlords and real estate has always been valued as a primary path to wealth and financial freedom.

Quote from @Horacio Renteria: I became an accidental land lord after a divorce in 2020 (bought ex out for equity) then purchased a second home as primary in 2020 for 2.85% interest and has increased in equity 115%.

You don't even understand the premise. 

I'm looking to use it as an investment, not a primary residence.

If someone is walking down the street and trips on your sidewalk or a  walk way whether its a tenant, delivery person or passerby you are the one who gets sued because its premises liability exposure.

If that is your primary motivation then I wouldn't encourage that.

I have read the BP book on long distance real estate investing, and I even contemplated buying my first house in a different state, but we ended up buying a primary place of residence here.It would be great to talk to some people who also live abroad and hear how they got started, where to start (choosing a state while avoiding state taxes, what resources to use, if they visit the area they are investing in first, etc.).

SFR, Multifamily, commercial, and industrial, as we have a primary focus on data centers.