Everyone is different, but I rest easier knowing everything is in place before I move forward.

Our rentals are targeted at families or younger professionals that want close to campus/square living but not on campus/square prices.

Regrettably investors like yourself are a prime target for the bad ones and it will only take one to break you.Bottom line you are no where near ready to begin until you are fully educated and have saved up plenty of cash to start.  

What is a “good” target for occupancy on a mid-size (50-100 unit) apartment building?

My thought is to start in tax deed states near high growth areas and targeting municipalities or builders in the area since those seem like the largest buyers.

You'll qualify for more mortgages if you only have one spouse's name on title and mortgage.Once you have multiple properties it also makes life easier when one spouse applies for another mortgage... you only have to supply documents for the one spouse and their properties.

It's simply easier and better just to buy "well". 

Zero's are easier to calculate. 

We'd be keeping the property because we love it and hope to live in it for part of the year.My target area is:I'm guessing that Hershey, PA is the hot-spot for short-term vacation rentals. 

I am have identified my target area and the types of houses I am looking for, fixer uppers and turnkey.