Every private investor has different priorities.

Hey Ed - this one wouldn't qualify with DSCR if one of the houses is your primary (assuming all are on the same tax parcel).

If you are limited to those areas for residency, and you choose to keep that job, you are going to have to either a) wait for a couple years and save up a heftier down-payment, b) change your strategy like you said and go for houses further away (do flips, STR or BRRR).Or, if you are sold on the house-hack concept, at some point you might have to look at a different job that allows you to move where house-hacking will work....

You will have the opportunity to meet like minded individuals with all different levels of investing. 

Labor/material are going to be different and need to factor that in4) new roof, new HVAC, new water heater, ac panel, replacing plumbing to PVCThese are very variable, if you are getting this from a licensed guy to do it and unlicensed.. is it a big shop or a local shop doing it, is the GC doing it they will put some money on the top so it will be more money5) framing (creating new bedrooms or baths)I would get all these quoted from a good couple of licensed guys and unlicensed to know your numbers to cents

Under $200k, pressing for sub $165k, with rents of $1,500mnth+There is a few different strategies were engaged in under this umbrella.

I think they used to be more helpful in the past and they made some changes and now they're not so valuable.I see weird and different values for my Airbnb stats depending on if I'm using my laptop or phone to view them.

I realize different markets/ schools but I’d imagine they’re all looking at the same time.

Understand the fees involved and calculate the total cost for an entire year of management so you can compare the different managers.

Everyone else is typically just happy to have something there for them.I'm sure others have differing opinions but this has worked great for me.