We’re open to zero or slightly negative cash flow initially, as long as the deal provides solid equity potential.

The team is very transparent and responsive.In short, I have nothing negative to say and am overall pleased with the responsiveness.

I was stuck with negative cash flow and not enough equity. 

You need to know for sure.Even if you raise the rents, the property is still a negative cash flow, so it doesn't make sense.There are always comps.

You just can’t successfully operate in the real estate industry unless you master these concepts.  

They negate eachother. 

I have another one were I optioned 120 acres that just got brought into long term planning for chips act. paid 5 million for it and spend 10k a month negative..

If you are limited to those areas for residency, and you choose to keep that job, you are going to have to either a) wait for a couple years and save up a heftier down-payment, b) change your strategy like you said and go for houses further away (do flips, STR or BRRR).Or, if you are sold on the house-hack concept, at some point you might have to look at a different job that allows you to move where house-hacking will work....

Per CoreLogic, only 1.8% of all mortgaged homes are in a negative equity position, and the average homeowner across the US has $311,000 in equity.If anyone has contradictory data, please share.

If you pay more, you won't meet your metrics and will probably have negative cashflow and/or equity.You may have to make 10, 20 or even 100 offers to get one accepted at the price that meets your numbers.This is what all investors did BEFORE the Great Real Estate Crash of 2008-2010.