-why not pick a market closer to home? 

VA loans are the only loans that allow this, and there is no rate penalty for it no longer being your primary home.With that in mind, you could do a cash out refinance today at a higher rate than current market rates which will create profit on the loan, we can take that profit to pay for your closing costs.

Don’t forget. 2024 rent cap was 8.9% so you may never get “market rent”.

I have been digging into off market deals and it has been promising.

The cost is minimal and I am smoking the closest competitors in my market.

If the only MFH options you're finding are in areas you're not comfortable with, it might be worth focusing on a duplex in a better neighborhood.Saving up for a larger property later is a valid approach too, but keep in mind that real estate tends to appreciate over time, and waiting might make it harder to enter the market later.

or get good tenant for around 1200$ on vacant unit (i reduced rent from 1350 to 1200 as not much interest in current market) and hold few more years absorbing repair costs and contractor issues, trees issues, retention wall issues, tough neighbor issues, loud music, tobacco etc. smell issues, dogs barking issues.7.

Most can provide a rental report to see how much properties are renting for in your area and how long properties are staying on the market. 

Some will dangle out-of-market offers in a term sheet, then ask for substantial sums of money right away.

Never considered it a market to invest in.