A friend of mine had a similar journey - they turned their old home into a rental property and soon realized they loved managing tenants and exploring ways to add value.

We have a home that we are almost done remodeling that we would like to try the mid term strategy to increase our cash flow vs long term.

I could have fully rehabbed that home and sold for $175K but instead I sold as a fixer upper (only needed cosmetics).

You can still find homes in these markets, among others, that are priced between $160k to $275k that still provide passive income, allowing your residents to pay down your mortgage, cover your other expenses and still have excess money to either save in an account for future investing or pay down your existing mortgage faster. 

.- If you purchase a home with a VA loan by using an Agreement for sale / contract for deed that is the exception. 

Would the buyers/borrowers be purchasing with the intent of putting a mobile home on the property and making it their primary residence?

If you live in the home for 2 out of the past 5 years and move out of state you may be exempt from the tax.  

I would focus on homes with dysfunctional floor plans.

Typically it’s a secondary use meaning the land must have a primary use (like a home on it).

I need long-term renters as a back up.I saw a basement apartment for rent in LauriaVille in a gorgeous remodeled home that’s been listed for $1050  It’s been sitting there a couple months and that concerns me because that’s not a lot of money for quite a bit of space in a great house.It’s been sitting there a couple months and that concerns me because that’s not a lot of money.