In this instance, you would have been able to plan for challenges moving existing tenants out, run numbers based on the current rent they pay, learn how long you may have to fight to remove them if at all, and where you would live if you couldn't occupy one of the units right away.How did your home inspection go?

I can promise you that my first deal was TERRIBLE, but I lived at a reduced monthly cost to living than renting/buying a single family and that is what mattered. 

It would also be much easier to manage considering you are currently living in Arlington.

Quote from @Dereck Olson: Hi Nicholas,  Just a thought from the possible tenant's perspective, but filling out a prequalification form and/or providing personal information before they have even seen a place and know if they will be interested in living in the property might be a bit too much to ask. 

Yea, fire your boss and live off real estate.

The only reason I recommend focusing on a couple neighborhoods, is because house hacking entails buying in a neighborhood you want to live in.  

The short version is that you want a strong and diverse job market, low unemployment rates, a growing population, low vacancy rates and new development, affordability/cost of living, real estate laws and court system, good schools, and low crime.Check out the videos from Dave Meyers with BiggerPockets.

As long as there is demand to live in these areas and low housing supply, prices will likely continue to appreciate.

.✅ House Hacking – How to Live for Free While Building WealthHouse hacking is where you buy a property with multiple units, live in one, and rent out the others to cover your mortgage or generate additional income.

If you live in the basement then you can legally STR the top in most areas.