Start by reading the Ultimate Real Estate Investing Guide: https://www.biggerpockets.com/guides/ultimate-real-estate-investing-guide/introduction2.

Hello, I’m mainly interested in single family and want to stay in my local area (Tucson Az) mostly because I’m here and I know this local market fairly well.

I’m actually at my place right now doing some maintenance after a guest stayed for 2 months.

I think you can accomplish it, but you would want to check the inventory in the area for MTR because most MTR will want to stay privately.

Well, for software, I would like to stay under $300. 

If you plan on buying these properties using a mortgage its also best to begin the pre approval process and work with an investor friendly lender to help guide and educate you what the best product might be for your projects to make sure you dont already max out your borrowing power after the first deal.

If you need to leave in less than a year, you need a really good reasonbecause Fannie/Freddie/FHA/VA and other secondary market makers don't like foryou to get owner occupied loans and then not stay in the property.

Pad Split tends to have shorter stays. 

Staying on track with timelines was crucial to avoid unnecessary holding costs.

Numbers get inflated by international students who are not, on majority, buying homes or staying past their schooling.