We aren’t aiming for anything top of the line or updated but we need bigger and more bedrooms etc. so our next home we are looking $450kish and not much more. 

I paid my dues with years of door to door sales and til this day longer, relationship building type sales is my weakness but I do aim to get better and better.

And yes, that's a rather accurate measure. 

I will also be tracking expenses related to repairs, maintenance, travel to and from NV, hotel stays, meals, gas, and other regular business costs.In the long term, I aim to purchase additional properties under the business name, but I understand I need to establish at least two years of income and credit history before doing so.The issue I’m encountering is that my accountant has not provided any guidance on how to structure this scenario.

What strategies or flood mitigation measures worked best for you to ensure long-term profitability?

Aim for the sky... you will reach the ceiling.... 

Or if you plan on staying in the property for a while, some people aim to just pay less than their current rent.In a real estate market where housing affordability is a major concern, house hacking actually stands out as an even more valid strategy than ever for buyers.

Personally, I am a big fan of the "alternative" storage systems such as water pumps, sand etc. because the battery method is honestly not all that efficient on a cost to operate measure. 

@Robert B Azimi measure it and call a concrete guy.

I'd like to keep my first deal relatively simple and therefore I'm focusing on 3-4 MF for now with aims to quickly advance into 5+ MF and commercial.