I am using RentRedi property management for my two single family rentals.

@Alecia Loveless is correct--tenants need access 24/7 to their electric service panel, water and heat, assuming those are individual utilities for each unit. 

Utilize tools like BiggerPockets for resources and calculators, and consider creating a simple spreadsheet to track property details, budgets, and timelines.

For rentals, would a single floor or two floors makes sense? 

However, its downfall (and really what makes it so easy) is that it is a single-entry system. 

House hacking seems like the best strategy for me.My goal is to purchase a single-family home in Maryland, D.C, (from lurking I've heard D.C was terrible for investing) or Virginia with multiple rooms where I'm making monthly payments similar to what I pay in rent and other charges ($2000-$2500).

The “work around” in those states requiring licensure is usually to utilize an incensed mortgage broker in that state as originator/broker while you’re the lender.

Newbies starting out get all spun around with:😵‍💫 Do I do a single family rental?

DSCR or Fannie/Freddie loans can go up to 75% on single family homes, multi family homes (2-4 unit) max at 70% if you stick with Fannie/Freddie.Other things to consider would be:Paying points for a lower rate vs higher rate with no pointsIf going DSCR - Prepayment penalty term (0-5 years)The lower the loan size ($200-250k and lower), you should consider paying up to 2 points and doing a 5 year prepayment penalty if going DSCR.

I run a turnkey provider and built new construction single-family homes in the area.