Elmo area but can't find much info online about where I can buy and operate. 

If you are planning to use a DSCR loan, lenders will want to see a valid lease, utility bill, or official document supporting you are living somewhere else. 

Give them a triple net lease (meaning they pay rent, and they're also responsible for insurance, utilities, and maintenance).

Thank you for tip on estimating costs, I tried to estimate about 20% higher than what i could find for pricing online, just in case. but going of your 50% higher estimate on costs, it sounds like a good idea to have a little extra padding on the repairs. 

You need to investigate and figure it out.If you include utilities with rent, I recommend placing a limit so the tenant is responsible for excess use.

Definitely want to utilize prospective tenants directly paying for background and credit reports during the application process. 

Also, local real estate agents can also be a goldmine for off-market deals since they often hear about them before anyone else.As for property management, researching and looking at online reviews are a good start, but a real insider tip?

I’m moving out of the house soon and will be living rent-free with my wife at my parents' place in the Bay Area due to some recent life changes.Here’s a breakdown of my situation:Location: Sacramento, CA (4 bed, 2 bath, recently renovated)Current mortgage payment: $3,940/month (including escrow)Mortgage balance: $475,000Current home value: $515,000 - $535,000 (based on comps)Rental estimate: Property management companies are quoting $2,600/month (with fridge/washer/dryer included), but some websites suggest it could go for up to $3,000/month.Planned budget:$540/month for capital expenditures and maintenance$100/month for lawn careTenant to cover utilities (gas, electricity, water)7.5% vacancy rateWe bought the house thinking it would be our forever home, but with our current situation, I’m trying to figure out the best long-term plan.

Keep saving, learning about the BRRRR strategy, and start networking with local investors or online groups.

This way, you’re not at risk of losing all your hard-earned feedback and visibility, which could set you back in the competitive short-term rental market.It's essential to find a PM who can work with you in this setup, as it's a balance between functionality and maintaining your property’s reputation online.