I will agree that 4 unit owner occupied is a great way to go if you can manage it.

For someone who is self managing a portfolio of rentals, any recommendation for bookkeeping books?

Get a DBA and use to open a business bank account.Have your properties "hire" the DBA to manage your rentals and collect rents.Most states require a lease to identify the owner of a leased property, whether a person, trust, LLC, IRA, etc.Landlord = Lord of the Land = Owner per deedAgent = someone legally representing the ownerProperty Manager = Agent

As some background, I'm looking for turnkey or close to it and would be using a management company since I have a busy full time job. 

I manage around 400 rentals with 14 years of experience and have never been sued once.

He's a partner in an STR management company and is very active in that sector right now in the Charleston area. 

You’ll have to decide on property management or dig in and learn about managing tenants on your own.  

Use financing options like FHA loans or private lenders and prioritize local properties to streamline management.

You can bill back to the tenant if they caused them, but they have placed the responsibility on the LL because they're trying to curb the spread and know the property owner is more likely to manage that than a tenant especially in a MFR situation.

Where are you managing it from?