As for the initial investment, I am working towards securing the necessary funds and am open to exploring various financing options that can facilitate this.Despite facing numerous challenges and setbacks on my real estate investing journey, I remain determined and resilient.

Best option: don't invest in areas with high crime.Security cameras, motion-detecting lights, and plenty of signs that it's protected by a security system.

No, refinancing isn’t an option because of how we purchased the property.

From my experience, cities like Greenville, Columbia, Augusta, Huntsville, Chattanooga, and Jacksonville offer strong house-hacking opportunities with growing job markets, solid rental demand, and affordable multi-family options.

Is spending thousands on a sprinkler system worth it or do I have other options? 

I did manage to get the flip rented out on a lease option.

In your case of a fourplex, option 2 should get you a better deal.I would also agree with Bill on how the number of units may not correlate with the value of the property unless it is a large multifamily complex, and sometimes a fourplex or several single family houses would give you better returns. 100% We always recommend conventional first until you can no longer qualify for those. 

I got into this by accident when i took a job via upwork as a VA  for Vontive and stated at interview  i could lower there costs and stress by automating there lead gen.I automated the lead gen and they didnt need 5 0f the 6 VAs they hired and we cut there costs by nearly 60%.Thats when i realised that you could automate even the cross platform data scraping.Then i got some extra clients from Upwork and now Im on here to help, offer the same and expand to others.going to the recorder office/courtYou only need to go to the physical building if thre is information on the documents that you need but cant view online.

I don't see it as an issue but many still do, at least in my small town where the majority of renters are elderly people looking for low maintenance housing options.

I am sure the STR  platforms have probably been contacted by the authorities