(Auctions and foreclosures can also provide great leads.)With $20K, hard money loans are a practical option, as they emphasize a property’s ARV over your financial history.

They will do magic for your financial situation.  

The BEST method for real estate investing is very simple: increase earnings, reduce expenditures, save, and invest from your own funds.You should focus on increasing earnings and learning how to manage your budget.

As other people have mentioned, does it increase risk of being rent controlled down the road?

After that's under control, focus on increasing income through additional work at your current job, taking on a side hustle, or finding ways to increase income on your existing rental.At the same time, educate yourself.

That does not require employment or job seasoning instead it uses the rents to qualify and you can take out up to 80% LTV cash.Use the cash to put down on the next 1-2 or more properties as long as the other properties are debt servicing themselves it opens up more opportuities to buy more future assets and increase your passice income.  

If private companies continue to provide the insurance, I suspect we will see further increased premium costs which will need to be reflected in the rents tenants pay (all tenants: LTR, MTR, STR).  

This provided Archie Raglin with the financial backing to close quickly, ensuring no delays and maximizing the opportunity for a fast sale at a profit.

That will most probably be offset by an increase in new mortgage costs and increased rates. 

At annual rent increases, I do scour Zillow for market rents in the area, which I share with my tenants.