I successfully operate a small portfolio (3 duplexes and three single families) out of state and a good  property manager is essential. 

I do know that most people hate click bait and so many of the real estate groups I'm a part of do similiar things to keep post engagement up and that drives me up a wall!

., "I will buy at least one single-family home, duplex, triplex, or fourplex before the end of 2019") and then do it.

And the first thing that came up when Googling the subject was Dodd and Frank, which requires RMLO if you originate more than 3 loans per year to a real estate buyer who will be residing in the property (Dodd Frank does not apply to commercial transactions, rental properties/duplexes and etc. among others).I know successful people who did this for a decade or decades.

If they weren't letting you live there and rented that house you could do a house hack or look for a duplex in Philly and go back to the beach house in the off season and rent your house hack as a MTR.

Like I brokered a 22  lot development of duplex's for a builder and just charged him 30k flat fee per sale.. they sold for 225k each back in 05 when I did this and I sold them all in one weekend at a big event i paid for in San Jose CA.. all to CA investors it was my fly and buy program I did in those days..

You can buy duplexes relatively cheap here in Columbus, so they will cash flow quite well.

I bought a triplex and duplex in Sept 2020.  

Sell: The home is stunning, with features like a 2-story wall of windows and a central, convenient location.

My primary also happens to be an investment property, it’s a duplex and I also have one paid for investment property as well.