However, I'm a techie by nature, so most of my time is spent learning how to program in various computer languages as well as develop websites and apps for individuals and small businesses looking to brand themselves online.WHY REAL ESTATE? 

Also remember one cannot control mother nature, and so things like hurricanes or flooding happen sometimes.Hope this helps.

This will give you a better understanding of the market you're operating in, and should you find a property you may want to buy, the cost estimates will come to you naturally.

That's the nature of this business.

Natural gas installed for heating and hot water.

I am naturally debt averse but slowly realizing that scaling the rental bizz fast means getting out of comfort zone

Depending on the nature of the repair, i.e., minor or major, you can decide whether that is worth the trouble.I would request the rental application from the tenant, the lease, and the credit report, which are standard requirements.Those info would also allow me to check out how they manage the rental tenant screening process and what kind of tenant is in the house.

The reason I ask, it seems there is a natural progression to start with SF, move up to small MF, and then larger MF, etc.

The answer depends on the size, scope and nature of the properties you are looking to acquire.

After realizing the fragile nature of his six-figure salary, he set out to replace his salary with passive income—as quickly as possible.