This takes a little more work, but it's the fairest and reduces the likelihood of tenants that squander utilities.If you choose #2 or #3, there are considerations:Start with an average.

Either would be a great option; I'd probably choose Roseville because it's more established, but the City of Elk Grove deserves a lot of credit for its impactful growth programs, so it wouldn't be a bad option. 

Knowledge is power:Thorough Inspections: Minimize surprises with detailed inspections and due diligence.Strong Screening: Careful tenant selection reduces vacancy and headaches.Diversification: Spread your investments across different locations and property types to mitigate risk.Financial Planning: Maintain a buffer and choose financing options that fit your long-term goals.

For the bedrooms and bath, choose colors from the rug, and use them, you can't go wrong! 

There are limits to this as well (when someone stays the whole time and doesn't say anything while there), but if someone chooses to leave early or right away, give them their money back before they drill you with a 1-star review.

Choose to learn from this and just be better to those that come after…

Quote from @Nate Meeker: Great insight, I am personally choosing not to file these for clients, but am providing a free guide to help them.  

If I were to start today, I would still choose to do the same thing - house hacking.

But the answer for everyone may differ.Here are the personal attributes I see in those able to achieve a higher than market ROI, enough higher to be able to “scale”.1- Knowledge of real estate principles, real estate law and real estate finance2- Minimum 3 -5 years full time, or near full time experience directly related to real estate investing3- Ability to utilize technology for increased efficiency, capacity, and accuracy4- Excellent hired legal counsel and excellent hired marketing help5- Established method(s) of obtaining consistently high QUALITY deal flow6- Ability to manage and choose people who are NOT employees: Attorneys, Appraisers, Mortgage Brokers, Real Estate Brokers, Title Companies, Surveyors, Marketing Specialists, Accountants, Contractors, Consultants, Property Managers7- A VERIFIABLE track record of success8- Ability to identify, analyze, and negotiate a deal that can be “worked” for “enhanced” ROI9- Some type of competitive advantage; for example for me it’s my ability to analyze and identify mortgage loans that are actually less risky than all other lenders believe (on the investing in debt side), and on the real property side it’s my ability to analyze”pull the trigger” with LESS information than other investors need,  combined with the ability to pay cash, or raise significant capital almost instantly as well as being able to obtain loans at the lowest prime customer bank rate with no recourse or personal liability.  

I actually read one of your posts on this topic years ago, which influenced me to carefully choose the right market.