If you plan to buy in your hometown, buy a 2-4 unit, and live in one of the units.

, clear laminated instructions inside the unit, etc.Also very important to consider scale--if you are planning to have several STR's in the same area, then it's wise for you to invest time now to build your team there and manage the place without a co-host.

First off, the biggest issue was I had been planning to do most of it myself. 

If I were you keeping the property as 4 units and renting out bonus unit under the radar may be your best option especially if you plan to refi or do HELOC while occupying. 

When we moved, we turned it into a rental, hoping this would be the start of our real estate journey—something we’d like to continue once my husband retires.Some key details:My husband is active duty and will retire in 3 years.We have one final move coming up this summer to Raleigh, NC.Our current debts are crippling us—the high interest makes it tough to stay afloat every month.The plan me and my husband are thinking bout:Sell the rental property.Use the proceeds to pay off all our debts, set aside emergency funds and a down payment for our next home.Free up $1,500/month from debt payments, and that also can stash in a high-yield savings account.Regain full VA loan entitlement, allowing us to purchase a multifamily home and use the house hacking strategy for up coming move.Avoid capital gains tax, since April marks five years of ownership, and the tenant’s lease ends in May.This wasn’t our original plan, and we hate the idea of using our equity to pay off debt.

Like any financing strategy, due diligence and proper financial planning are key to making it a successful solution for both parties. 

An example is on one permit I had plans for electrical, plans for gas, plans for AC condenser.

Keep in mind of the I/O(payments/period) and game plan on how fast you'd like to pay it down. 

We had a plan to build a large real estate portfolio and then sell it in five years and divide the money.

@Matthew Posteraro That's a solid plan.