I work with a lot of house hacks & investors like yourself, so getting it right on the first one is critical. 

Your local partner can help verify if the area really supports those rents long-term.Regarding school ratings, they’re important for single-family homes but may not be as critical for duplexes, which tend to attract a more diverse renter pool (young professionals, retirees, etc.).

Great response here from @Michael Plaks (to what was a very long post, this is critical info).

I think those are critically important. 

I think joint leases, over-communicating, building rapport, establishing expectations early, and having A+ locations have all been critical during COVID.The only major difference I'd offer is that we do require guarantors for each resident.

Would mobile app access be critical for tenants?

To prepare, focus on saving for a strong down payment and maintaining a solid credit profile, as both are critical for competitive financing.If possible, look into FHA or conventional loan options for owner-occupied properties, which may offer favorable terms, especially for first-time buyers.

Property management is one of the most critical yet often overlooked aspects of real estate investing.

I appreciate all criticism in pointing out my lack of knowledge.

Some fair criticism for sure.