Bigger Pockets is a great place to learn and connect with fellow investors.If you’re looking to invest long distance, I definitely recommend building your core-4 team.

The good news is you don't need a specialty loan for a house hack, just a traditional primary home loan.

I am foreseeing a bit of a push back or even turned-off potentially decent tenants by the $50/pp screening fee, mostly for a family of 4 ($200 out of pocket).I was wondering if offering a credit of either 50% or the full 100% of the screening costs from the first or second month's rent is a good idea.Thought?

If you do a good job picking tenants, you will be fine.

Good luck!

I think they contain solid information and will help lay a good foundation as a beginner (Haha, I'm completely new to real estate as well, btw)I'm also going to be reading the following books, and hopefully I can finish all by the end of this month:1) The ABCs of Property Management2) The Advanced Guide to Real Estate Investing3) Long-Distance Real Estate Investing How to Buy, Rehab, and Manage Out-of-State Rental Properties (this might be the most important one to me personally)4) The Book on Investing in Real Estate with No (and Low) Money DownIn addition to reading, I'm consuming crazy amounts of youtube videos, and I'recommend you do this as well.

We have considered long-distance real estate too so we can consider other markets too. 

Prioritize stable cash flow, good location, and manageable property condition, while considering strategies like gradual rent increases, expense reduction, and value-add improvements to enhance returns.

Love what @Kevin Sobilo replied - sounds like some good wisdom.

I’m naturally inclined toward this area because it’s within driving distance of major west Coast cities (L.A., San Diego, and others)—making it feel like a “natural” choice for a regional traveller wanting to get away for a short weekend.