I wasn’t prepared to lose so much of my savings as carrying cost basically I paid for the tenants to live there for 3 months + my own living expenses in that time.

They just live T get you to apply and paper appraisals.

If you’re just starting or want to minimize risk, house hacking is a killer move—grab a duplex, live in one unit, rent the other, and let it pay down your mortgage while you scale up.

I studied RE development and investment for my MBA, I am the building inspector for the town where I live and I worked as a contractor before switching to only working on my own deals.

Fico while they will look these are not credit score driven loans like those buying rental houses or houses to live in...

I have 2 properties now one I live in but Short Term Rent it when not home which is a lot.

There are some exceptions, but the HOA dues normally kill your returns and there are all kinds of other issues having tenants living close together. 

We are somewhat handy and would not mind fixing up the house while living in it. 3.

I live in Cullman.

The people within your subdivision may sell the house for you, as they may have family/friends who want to live close to them, and people are always intrigued by new construction in their neighborhood.