For a long-term rental, would a small multifamily in Raleigh be necessary to break even and cover the mortgage compared to a SFH?

Which BTW most of our closings are subject-to the existing financing, so we have little cash into the deal, just the arears and the closing costs.You find NOD and pre-notice via;   realtytrac.com / equitydepot.net (if they cover your area). 

Use tools like the VA loan for house hacking and your Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) to cover living costs while building equity.

Aside from downpayment, you want to have a solid emergency fund in place, something that can cover unexpected repairs, vacancies, or any other random costs that pop up.I’d also recommend saving more than you think you'll need and keeping a close eye on your expenses.

I often have tenants who don't pay the last month's rent because they think the security deposit will cover what is owed. 

I would maybe add that, with your portfolio spanning several states, you may want to research/interview a national PM that could cover all your properties with one contract.

Let’s break it down.Moving to Your Next HomeYour equity could help you cover the down payment for your next home.

This just covers the basics: how many people, do they have pets, what is their timeline for moving?

You’re giving very limited information which forces people responding to cover unnecessary points. 

We recommend you get management contracts from several PMCs and compare the services they cover and, more importantly, what they each DO NOT cover.