As you may or may not know FHA and Conventional mortgages have to abide by regulations that dictate what percentage of your income the mortgage can be. 

You could try to negotiate the ability to choose those items, rather than the seller, but here, the seller chooses title and the title company will dictate the costs you see.

I think I'll ultimately rent it room-by-room but not for the first year or two while I live in and rehab, and while strategizing my next move (which will largely be dictated by COVID and the market).

As with every type of property, the local economy dictates whether or not a specific type of property is a good investment or not.

Your financial and other situations should dictate which way you decide to go. 

The property management company you select with dictate how well your property performs.

I would suggest discussing the type of tenants you want to attract with your realtor and letting that dictate the location you invest in.

There are specific rules, known as the Passive Activity Loss (PAL) rules, that dictate how losses from passive activities can be used to offset income.

I was only able to get the closing date moved till late this afternoon.If I am able to move the closing date back I would like to review the contract with a lawyer to see what my options are.The title company does not dictate the transaction they are just a facilitator. 

I allow the neighbors reactions to dictate my final price (after studying current comps; for sale and sold).