Personally, I find BTRs to be more predictable with fewer ongoing maintenance issues, and they tend to attract high-quality tenants.

Scammers do exist, and it’s smart to verify a lender’s legitimacy before moving forward.Check Reviews and References: Look for reviews on trusted platforms like BiggerPockets or Google.

Wanted to get some thoughts from more seasoned small multifamily investors on a few items or any other suggestions:- Any specific pros/cons of any particular states in SE (TN, AL, GA, NC, SC) to consider?

However, the biggest con is that you are sacrificing a bit of your privacy by living right by your tenants and it is usually a lot more stressful since everything is your responsibility - managing tenant issues, handyman repairs, taking care of the lawn, etc.I would strongly recommend house hacking especially in the Columbus Ohio market!

@Jesse Rivera I love the idea of it the only issue I'm currently facing is I would get negative cash flow renting out my current home  based on my current mortgage so it definitely isn't ideal 

I had specifically asked for numbers including mortgage payments and they emailed to me.

Risks include market fluctuations, property damage, tenant issues, and unexpected expenses.

Should I be concerned the bank may have issues with this? 

Yep - My firm can do this for rate-term refinances and/or acquisitions, with stipulations (specifically for 85% LTV): Min DSCR of 1.25x+, Min FICO of 720+, SFRs.

I find that the best deals on the market are usually newly listed (less than a week on the market) and usually the deals that haven't sold have significant issues with them.What are the reasons that you think homes sit on the market for a long time and how do you navigate the issues to make a deal that works for you?