I’ve never met anyone who regretted house hacking—it’s a powerful way to get started.House hacking can help you get better financing terms, live in and manage your property directly, and start building equity right away.

If you're looking at Akron, definitely look at Detroit as well.In my opinion (and I'm very biased here with 12-doors in Detroit), there's better growth potential in Detroit.

For minimizing upfront costs, FHA is better; for liability protection, conventional with an LLC is ideal.

Throw in the fact that properties over the next few years most likely will have very low to zero appreciation and they probably do not get you a net of $6k a month even if you considered the principal payments you are paying down and lending right now is a far better situation to be in than owning property - just as the opposite was several years ago during very low rates and high home appreciation. 

Once the new home is finished, then you would probably be better off doing a VA refinance on the new property and paying off the equity line.

Sales prices and mortgage rates make it really hard to find good deals today.Wholesaling sounds good, but you could make better money working extra shifts as a nurse.You could look for run-down properties as buy-and-holds.

If not, buying a turnkey, rent-ready property could be a better first bet.

Wall removal is better for sale usually for open concept, and sometimes for rentals, but if you want more occupancy (potential rent by room) removing walls restricts that.

If the economy gets better, you might be able to refinance and/or if you make more money, pay down the principal later if that is what you really want.

Here is what I learned, my mistakes, and what I regret house hacking starting at 22: https://www.biggerpockets.com/forums/922/topics/1133476-hous...Also, in my experience the more uncomfortable you're willing to live, the better the numbers will be.