As a former house hacker myself, I'd suggest you try not to get too close (in terms of friendship) with your tenants - the tenant/landlord relationship can make it tricky to become friends.Do you have a price range or down payment amount that you're targeting?

Private Money Lenders (PML): More flexible, relationship-based funding with lower fees.

*This post does not create a CPA-client relationship.

Nothing in this post should be construed as, or relied upon, as legal advice or as creating a CPA-client relationship.]

What decision is your significant other leaning towards, what stress is in your relationships?

I do engagement marketing in a trades focused field lending me to having very good relationships with tradespeople whom I consider friends- and I trust thoroughly.

Contracting is all about relationships , knowing who to call and when to call them .

Things just require more ongoing expenses percentage wise out of state because you have to pay people to do everything for you and you will have a longer time building relationships with vendors even when getting decent referrals. 

Avoid C-Corps, as they incur double taxation.Use LLCs for rentals and consider an S-Corp election for flips if income justifies the additional complexity.This post does not create a CPA-Client relationship.

Do they have solid banking relationships and broker relationships to lease out the units.