A big issue however is the home next door.

Hi Brian, I'm not too familiar with the Columbus market but I do have 9 doors across Detroit and Memphis.

How many properties/doors should I manage for Story to make sense?

It is different for the elderly couple who has lived in their house for 30 years and now has a large building constructed directly next door and wants to erect a fence that exceeds the max height allowed.

It's 2100 sq feet, two entrances, back deck and front deck, 10 minute walk to public transit. 

I own 20 doors which provides nice income. 

I recently made a post about my favorite house hacking strategy which is to find a house that has a basement entrance or one that has some sort of side or garage entrance that opens up to the basement stairs and turn that into a basement entrance.

Today, 7 years later,  I have 37 doors and real estate is my full time job managing those properties.I doubt anyone can tell you exactly what course you should take… but if real estate is your goal, my suggestion is to go find your local real estate investment group that probably meets once a month and start rubbing shoulders with everyone there.  

I would love to have a call with someone with an intimate knowledge of what I am looking to do or be referred to a rockstar commercial agent in eastern Florida.

My first recommendation is to look for a real estate agent to help you understand the market.You can also do your own research by finding where other investors are buying properties by Zip code in your target area.Best way to find properties outside the MLS is to get in contact with wholesalers in the your market and reach out to sellers directly by targeting the subdivisions you want a house.Also, you have to consider how much rehab you are willing to do or if your just want a property that I moving in ready