I'm currently reading David Greene's "BRRRR" book and I will be utilizing my VA Loan as a first home purchase (duplex) for my first home utilizing the VA Loan.

Usually MTR comes fully furnished with utilities included, so you pay for the convenience.if the area has traveling nurses, other professionals that come for a few months for work they normally pay more, in certain cases the employer pays the rent not familiar with that particular market,  but worth looking into it.

So by utilizing leverage you earned $200 more.  

Unless a different one would be better that you could suggest   If you are house hacking you can utilize 3-10% down. 20%+ is great to put down but not always possible.

• Should utilities, internet, or services like snow removal/lawn care be included, or not?

For further context, we are trying to have him be the name on the loan because he would be able to utilize his first time home buyer loan to take advantage of the lowered offered interest rate.

Stop hanging out with your deadbeat buddies who spend all day drinking, talking sports, and otherwise wasting away.

The tenants pay all utilities including sewer and garbage. 

It's a primarily a utility asset, and secondarily a store of value against currency. 

Utilize your resources on here and I'm sure you can come to a happy conclusion on wheather to self manage or hire a PM company.