Do I eat this cost now at the start in order to ensure systems are in place to scale - even though my current portfolio is so small as to be manageable with Excel and a bank account?

My biggest issues with Rocky River and Lakewood I believe will be high taxes eating up cashflow.

You don't have to pay fees to a property manager, which can eat into your returns.But it also means taking on a lot of responsibility, both when buying the property and while owning it.Would-be landlords should figure out whether they are paying a good price.

I did enjoy David Greene's BRRRR book (great book btw) in which he discusses the 4 things he looks to accomplish during a PM interview:Finding out about them as a personFinding out about their experience & skillWhether they invest themselvesA list of resourcesI don't want to go on and list out all the specific questions already listed in the book, but wanted to see what the BP community recommended as well? 

A vacancy can eat that up.  

If I use my personal finances I could get about 5 houses with down payments but start eating away at the nest egg.

It was with San Francisco cop David Green.

I spent some time in Peru and they used anything for a home including trash, but I guess that would be building "green" with recycled materials.

I'm willing to eat those fees and rent, but am I risking the possible destruction to the property if I don't file now?

And yes I do believe I can have cake and eat it too if its an emerging market and I time just right to get in and get out within a 3-5 year period.