Some people make 4x the rent but squander their income on eating out, drinking, car payments, etc.

Just dont miss payments and you will be fine!  

Booking.com tends to be more hands on since you have to setup up a payment processor and take payments from guests.

I could come up with a down payment for an investment property in a different state easier than my home state at prices are pretty high in the 300-400 k just for townhomes.

All you need is a single place to track tenant information, payment history, maintenance, and other things.

If you aren't paying cash and are doing owner occupancy you may be able to use FHA instead of Conventional with a higher down payment. 

Payment is $1780.

If you do have to move because of a job, you would be safest (in my opinion, i am not giving legal advice or financial advice), i would sell that property to ensure that you did not just purchase with the goal of moving out early and taking advantage of lower rates and lower down payments for purchasing your home as a primary residence. 

NONE of the money raised from the auction of a 2nd goes toward the payment of the 1st (that is why they call it "subject to the first")4.

It is what is left after snow removal, cutting the grass, utilities, tenant issues, parking lot issues, property taxes, mortgage payment, etc. that make a difference.