These are things at the high level I want to be looking at for all my real estate purchases. 

The key is that the gap funder is usually someone you know and have a relationship with.

Highly recommend.

These homes may be dated, but they can be decorated to a high standard.

As you guide landlords through that stressful process, you can introduce how your tenant screening and management services help prevent future issues.2.Focus on Rental Listings as a Lead Source•A highly effective way to grow your PM business is to actively market rental vacancies for landlords.

@Nick HulmeMaking improvements to your primary to make it high quality enough to rent above market rents, rent it.

@Samuel Coronado - the challenge is that there will likely be a very small number of renters looking for a house that size, as well as that can afford a rent amount that high who won't just buy otherwise. 

When I was 22, I did a house hack, and I highly recommend it.

For cash flow, I'd recommend checking out the Triad (Greensboro, Winston-Salem, High Point) or Fayetteville in NC and Sumter and Florence in SC. 

BiggerPockets also has a calculator to analyze deals, and I highly recommend you start this as soon as possible, even if you are not ready to buy.