I'm a local real estate broker, investor, and manager (100+ rentals, mostly Airbnb/STR and multifamily).House hacking is a tried-and-true method and in Sacramento you can produce some meaningful income while enjoying the appreciation and tax benefits of owning real estate.

Since you're open to markets beyond NYC, you might want to connect with local investor meetups or REI groups in those areas to build relationships with agents, wholesalers, and lenders who understand the nuances of each market.If you're looking to break out of analysis paralysis, maybe start by narrowing down one or two target markets and running numbers on actual deals.

I have tried local governments sites with little luck. 

Hey Juliann - Reach out to local investor-friendly realtors and GC's.

Otherwise, if you know any local realtors they can also help see what market rents look like in the area.

She doesn’t need local family to manage it. 

He can spend the next few years-ish getting a finance degree through an online school while working part time, but he just got offered a full time position helping with sales for a local wholesale real estate company. 

I find new lending opportunities by networking at local RE Meetups, Training Classes and real estate functions.   

If you're considering mobile homes, the first step is checking zoning laws and utility access since some areas have restrictions.For resources, Mobile Home University is a well-known starting point, and local mobile home dealers can offer insights on placement and financing.If mobile homes are allowed, you could either rent them yourself for higher returns but more management or rent out the lots for steady cash flow with less work.

It is also worth noting that property management is often closer to 30% of gross rent for a short-term rental due to the much more intensive hands-on management compared to a typical 10% for long-term and as such, I agree with recommendations above that medium term rentals may provide the best of both worlds if you are able to tailor proximity to a local need, e.g. hospitals and travel nurses.Again, happy to relay my personal experiences in the area if you're interested.Best of luck,Patrick