I would very much appreciate any recommendations.

If you're looking for a more landlord-friendly market, I personally recommend Columbus OH.

Any advice or tools you’d recommend would be really helpful!

I would recommend talking to many lenders/brokers to see which one has the most experience funding these loan types. 

However, the biggest con is that you are sacrificing a bit of your privacy by living right by your tenants and it is usually a lot more stressful since everything is your responsibility - managing tenant issues, handyman repairs, taking care of the lawn, etc.I would strongly recommend house hacking especially in the Columbus Ohio market!

I would recommend against being the GC unless you are confident of doing more than one effort.  

Any insights or recommendations would be greatly appreciated!

If you're strictly seeking off-market deals, I recommend connecting with and working with a reliable/resourceful wholesaler instead of a real estate agent.

What would you recommend?

I appreciate your proactive approach to connecting with fellow investors.To answer your questions:• Introducing Yourself: I recommend crafting a brief yet detailed introduction that highlights your unique experience and the markets you serve.