You are already ahead of other beginner investors by using a specific bank account just for the rental and uploading receipts.

If you're grabbing a quality location, you grab that because this is an investment.If you're thinking 5-10 steps ahead, like most investments should be about, you go after the quality location.

(Doing your homework ahead of time will have another benefit in that it will make your possible sale/1031 exchange much more smooth if you don't have to fight the 45-day deadline to find new property)

Making the move sooner than later allows you to get a jump a head of the property increasing any faster. 

The inspection let's me know if there are things I need to go ahead and fix.

I don't see a buyer's agent putting together a 10 house tour and asking 10 seller's agents ahead of time what the split is on each and every property.

Granted, change is inevitable, so I'm always planning ahead for likely changes to come.Good luck, Seth.

Go ahead and read, search and read again.

The price increases that came to a head during the pandemic are a result of two major factors: A shrinking workforce, and a need for large financial institutions to seek returns.

It doesn't really hurt to go ahead and get a HELOC that you could access if needed.