So I plan on going with the FHA 3.5% down and hopefully going for something in the 3-400k range in a neighborhood like back of the yards, mt greenwood, south shore but also open to other options.

As for the mowing - do you have a yard shed or somewhere else you can store it?

In Scottsdale we have Homes not Hotel signs in many of the yards, this is a group trying to ban Airbnb.

@Craig Ancier I hope you find my back story applicable for action forward because I was a lot like you it sounds, and I got my start right here in our same back-yard of Twin Cities. 

Some optional items from a LTR lease now become requirement: you have to own the utility account, definitely have contractors to maintain yard, pest control, periodic soft wash the exterior, pool/hot tub (only speaking from FL, or any other property routine maintenance in other region). 

There is also a Ace in Crestline and a lumber yard in Rim Forest, immediately east of Crestline. 

Being a builder, my first thought goes to the construction type items: Tile or wood floors, vinyl shower kits, high quality wall paint like Behr Marquis, solid wood furniture, good appliances not cheap rental ones, easy to maintain yard outside like DG, artificial turf and gravel. 

Definitely want to avoid areas with vacant boarded up homes, cars parked on the yard, unkept lawns, etc. 

We would be only paying utilities in the unit above the garage and would have our own separate drive/yard.

Btw- I have a 2016 home- 3bed, 2.5 bath, second living room upstairs, 2 car garage, large fenced-in yard, covered porch with patio furniture, and more-- so I think it is a pretty desirable listing!