If you don't have trusted professionals in the area you are looking at I think you should do some serious ROI calculations on the trips out there, the time developing the relationships, the time marketing and managing, etc.

I’m trying to value the property and believe its calculated by NOI/cap rate.

This is located in oak harbor WA on Whidbey Island if that is pertinent for calculating a deduction just a general idea would give me a huge help at least would be a starting point the rent is higher than a lot of similar apartments however as I stated it's on property but the lack of kitchen almost cancels out the benefit of the setting.

Be familiar with calculating ROI, prospective cash flow, and other important measures.

The NC return is correct as is in my opinion.Remember that states often piggyback off Federal amounts, often AGI or taxable income (then make upward or downward adjustments for things like 179 or depletion).Since the passive loss did not enter the taxable income calculation at the Federal level, it won't flow to the state return when NC piggybacks.

Yes, as a home owner you are on the hook for any other miscellaneous expenses that arise but that's why you take out reserves every month in your calculation. 

Also, in our experience, 95+% of agents have no clue how to calculate ROI, Cash-on-Cash, Cap Rate, etc., so what are they really going to help an investor with?

Just make sure to consider PMI (private mortgage insurance) in your calculations since you'll be putting down less than 20%. 

Curious what's the advantage to calculating it per unit instead of the building, TY

Calculate the potential cash flow and return on investment to ensure it aligns with your financial goals.Purchasing a duplex and house hacking: This option offers the advantage of living in one unit while renting out the other, potentially covering most or all of your housing expenses.