With house hacking, I feel like you only need a few properties to be able to build cash flow and set yourself up for retirement.

You also have to set aside money for legal/accounting. 

In fact, I have a couple buyers right now looking in this area for a house hack potentially just like this set up.  

Just buying my first duplex and I google "how to set up separate mailboxes on a duplex"...

So, potentially 2 sets of taxes need to be paid.

The Taxable Value is uncapped and equated to the SEV upon a sale or other transfer of property ownership, with limited exceptions.Homestead versus Non-Homestead Millage RatesCounties & cities in Michigan are allowed to set their own millage rates, with one restriction – a primary residence (Homestead) is exempt from up to 18 mills of school taxes on their Homestead property.

It’s really good to have a set of eyes (you and/or a bookkeeper) to make sure each transaction is going to the right LLC and/or property and is accounted for properly.

I’m considering coming in with an offer around $600K to $650K with seller financing and setting balloon payments once the land is sold. 

It sounds like you’ve got a great set of hobbies too—having that balance will definitely keep things fun as you work on building your portfolio.

But I recently upgraded and used a local designer who has given me full sets of interior colors and exterior colors so we can properly design each home