Many rentals don't run through the MLS, but enough do to get you good data.Your opinion on Lakewood is not unfounded, it has been on a tear the past ten years. 

My son and I used to do tax deed and mortgage foreclosure recovery, and we were running through over 1,000 traces a month.

Be careful that you may be saving a few dollars in the short run by not using a professional. 

Operating expenses are EVERY cost associated with running the property other than debt service.

Don’t know what your definition of “quick” is, but plan to invest for the long run to make any serious returns. 

Maybe run this by your real estate attorney before moving forward. 

Running an Airbnb on the same property as your primary residence, is much different than a separate property.

I know more than a few wholesalers who run successful businesses.  

Look at affordable areas like Mesquite, Grand Prairie, or Cedar Hill and go for an FHA (3.5%) You need to know where exactly you will be working first.Closing costs can run $5K-$10K, so negotiating seller concessionsor using first-time homebuyer programscan help.

I am a business owner running a successful hostel in Atlanta.