I can't do section 8 housing, as they require a bathroom (a full unit) in each room.

@Yents Ybrimovicyou should definitely start with a house hack.  

The cheaper price point often comes with older housing stock that needs more work.Not saying Cleveland/Akron are bad markets - plenty of investors do well there!

Hopefully as the rates and the housing market loosens so will some of these guidelines in the HML programs. from talking to hard money funds especially those who operate in more than 10 states, and 5 years of experience with underwriting teams, I'd actually disagree and say new construction is preferred to rehab due to experience level to enter the market. there's BP lenders that will do 15% LTC with 1-2 new build experience.

I'm looking for folks to make the house their home, not a 12 month pit stop after all.  

I did a house hack in Columbus, Ohio.

In 10 or 20 years you can be told you “got lucky” because you invested back when houses were cheap.

I just wanted to hear people's thoughts on whether to look for a house hack opportunity or to keep renting and look for a rental property deal.

Quote from @Jason Seay: 3 bed 2 bath house. 

STR....I can only imagine the groups of individuals who will rent this house on a short term basis.