Having said that, since you're a newbie my strong suggestion is to go thru a professional initially.  

@Scott VaethIf you live in part of the home and rent out rooms, you might be able to keep the lower 4% owner-occupied rate.Instead of a long-term rental that barely covers half the mortgage, could you do a rent-by-the-room model or target traveling professionals to increase cash flow?

Did you work with any real estate professionals (agents, lenders, etc.) that you'd recommend to others?

However, the key is partnering with a professional agency that not only supplies experienced VAs but also uses robust systems—like well-known CRMs—to track calls, monitor lead quality, and analyze performance metrics.Keep in mind that not every VA agency is created equal.

Find out who has good Google Reviews (and responds to them), find out who answers their phone, find out who has a polished and professional website, etc. 

Readers should seek professional advice.

Did you work with any real estate professionals (agents, lenders, etc.) that you'd recommend to others?

But as someone who’s been in the trenches of real estate investing for almost 30 years, I continue to see some flaws.Some of the flaws I have witnessed are when tech-driven companies seem to lack backing from experienced underwriters or seasoned real estate professionals.

Did you work with any real estate professionals (agents, lenders, etc.) that you'd recommend to others?

Platforms like Taskrabbit.com offer skilled professionals who can assist with setup, assembly, and various tasks to get your space ready.Cleaner and handyman are key to keeping things running seamlessly, so it's crucial to have them in place before you begin.