I am still living in the past, where your word is your reputation and your reputation is your character. 

I was forced to buy my first house because my roommate moved out and I couldn't afford to live alone.

I called and emailed Nomad daily and could not reach a live person, even in an emergency.

Not sure if this will go against the culture here but if I read correctly and you are considering tying up your primary residence to an investment property please reconsider leveraging the home your family lives in. 

I'm from Minnesota and I have a video editing business where I can work from anywhere.

I won't be able to make the cottage legal rental without living in the primary home myself.

After 4-5-6 years then maybe roll them up into a small mulitfamily.Another option if you have the credit and some capital is to buy a 4 unit as owner/occupied and live in one and rent the other 3. 

If you’re just starting or want to minimize risk, house hacking is a killer move—grab a duplex, live in one unit, rent the other, and let it pay down your mortgage while you scale up.

I lived there from 2017 to 2022 and personally witnessed significant changes during that time.

I needed to buy my first investment and also needed a place to live.