The insurance underwriting companies sometimes have rules flat against it. 

It is just a flat rate every month that is much more reasonable than the different fees you see on other sites.

Also many old tools in walls over the years; usually tape measures (old fashioned kind that fold out like rulers), planers, levels, flat bars, crow bars, nailsets, hammers and such.

After months of listening to every single BP podcast, reading all the BP books and countless posts, I finally closed on a 3-flat in Chicago that I’m house hacking.

I would say Portland is flat right now.

I am biased however, since my wife and I bought a 2-flat here in April.

I find that areas in my desired markets zoned for 2-4 flats are being driven up by first-time home buyers looking to be saavy and "house hack".I love the idea, definitely a fan of the theory!!

Some states are just flat out really expensive to get insurance no matter what kind of coverage you get so I can't help you there.

It can make assumptions (like flat 50% operating expenses, based on rent), or you can itemize each cost.

If you don't want to pay a month's compensation of rent, use a flat fee MLS broker.