I need to confirm with the lender but assume any such "partial" payments would have to be substantial and equal to at least 10-20% or more of the total loan?

The 4 properties will always make more money than the 1 (all things being equal).  

I have equally found that there is something magical about IN-PERSON MEETUPS...when I left my traditional W2 for a PropTech startup I led our grass-roots business development by going to every possible Chicago Meetup for about 2 YEARS STRAIGHT!

We say we'll go 85% on that product, but honestly, it's hard to find a property that is that heavily leveraged where the rent equals or exceeds the mortgage principal, interest, taxes, insurance and HOA fees.

Ex (random numbers pulled out of thin air)$100k purchase $160k ARV$30k reno but $20k at cost$15k holding costsTotal Cost:$145k cost or $135k with contractorWith the contractor at cost, I have an extra $10k of margin where I don't lose money, but obviously not ideal for the contractor since they would make less.I think a good way to price it would be the equity would equal your profit if you did a fee construction at slightly below the projected ARV, and slightly below the projected hold time.

As far as Baltimore, the city has some nice areas that have been mentioned above, but all thing equal im partial to the suburbs, Howard, Anne arundal and Baltimore county in particular. 

You want appreciation.Everyone should want appreciation because that's what ultimately is going to build outsized wealth.If you just want cash flow, heck... throw your cash into an ETF like $JEPI and be happy with your ~9% CoC annually.With real estate, all things being equal, you would want to buy in the highest appreciating market you can find.

I do think you need to do some research, but you will get skimmed beyond belief by a PM who knows you are out of the country because no good PM companies are taking a one-off residential for 7-10 pct., it's not worth their time.

It's best to operate like a business with standardized requirements applied to everyone equally, every time.Do yourself a favor: buy "Every Landlord's Legal Guide" by NOLO.

If they are VERY professional, they will have their processes in writing as verification that policies are enforced equally and fairly by their entire staff.6.