Don't use overly rozy projections based on self-management and renting it out forever.2) Higher risk - how do you know which tenant caused the damages or brought in the bed bugs?

I wouldn't say that people in general like one type over another, but rather people in general cohorts (single, married - no kids, married - with kids, etc.) tend to gravitate towards certain types of properties based on their lifestyles.

Most of those specialty programs (first responder loans, downpayment assistance, etc) are based on local state/county grant programs that back the loan.

Most investors take a look at the available rental units in a particular market,  determine if its a good or bad market based on DOM and either dismiss the market all together or replicate the housing units that are absorbed.

C class and lower areas is only where S8 beneficial and that tenant base can be a headache.

I have been in touch with a couple US based ones that lend in region.  

Hello,My name is Luke Helliker, and I’m an investor based in Chicago.

You just got a super cheap education #8 I would seriously consider a bond fund etf vs real estate based on your post. 

I ended up not even going STR after digging into her projections and finding out they were not realistic and were just based on city-wide data.

Then, having covered my base, I'd try to differentiate myself, by having the best located property, the best quality property (given the price of course) and offer the best experience.