Make sense with our need for inventory nationally, but this is also very market dependent.     

That makes sense.

If the property doesn’t make sense financially as an annual rental, it’s probably not the right investment.

It is not passive in any sense of the word.  

@Christopher Reynolds My mantra has always been, "Live where you want to live; invest where it makes sense."

Since your goal is getting into commercial real estate, it might make sense to start with a smaller rental property like a duplex to get experience managing an investment.

it doesn't make sense unless it's some kind of short term thing like a BRRRR - is that what you're looking at?

This was my first deal, and house hacking made the most sense because it lowered the threshold for risk in my mind.

In my market, almost all sellers are still offering buyer compensation so you could hire an agent hourly, pay them, and then the seller will also pay them comp on your behalf so it doesn't really make any sense to do and no good agents will do this in my opinion.

If you are thinking of renting, then that wouldn't make sense.