Quote from @Jaesung Jun: @Jaesung JunYou don't provide nearly enough information for anyone to realistically offer valid suggestions to you.House hacking involves buying a multi-family house.  

Also, be realistic with your expectations.

This must produce positive cash flow to protect downsideWith realistic expense estimates, this is tough at investor LTV.  

Just be realistic with your expectations and do not shoot for the stars when you don't have the means yet.

. $250K a unit is also somewhat realistic in those submarkets, though not impossible.Your best bet is a value-add strategy on something that has significant upside with a high growth submarket.

Fairly consistent rents for properties spanning realistically in the 100-250 range, with a healthy mix of SFH and MFH.  

So the reality is the OP has three realistic options1.

The total/near total loss of capital on a 2nd is a very realistic outcome - make sure you're in a position to survive this outcome.

Is it realistic?  

You're right that the expense/hassle of a trip is worth it relative to the amount of money at stake.A question on that though - in a market where good OM deals hardly last longer than a week - is it really realistic to plan on touring specific properties that I might put an offer on?