Once I placed an ad for a 1BR apt, an open house and people started coming.

We mostly buy houses from out of state and are aware of it's challenges but many investors have done successfully, so it can be done.

Have you made a research on house prices, rehab costs, time on the market to sell and etc?

I am new to real estate investing, and is considering house hacking a property for my first deal.

This move-in ready house features a stove/oven, refrigerator, and dishwasher in the kitchen.

I am buying a flip house from a wholesaler.

You might also meet title agents who have resources on, say, foreclosures or probates…and might recommend lenders who actually lend on more difficult projects (as the title companies also know which lenders can close and which are difficult).I also go visit open houses to see what sorts of finish to put on my renovations or to look for the next house or area in which to purchase.  

We would need to go into a very deep, very bad recession that is housing related for that to happen however so I would not hope for that. 

Are they really any more customizable than a stick built house?   

I'm 44, a licensed barber, and own the first house I ever bought outright.