I also have significant equity in my home, which I believe gives me a HELOC option for acquiring my first property to BRRRR or flip once I feel educated enough to  do so.The BP podcast has already taught me so much, and I'm gratefully here hoping to learn, share, and apply all you amazing people have to teach. 

@Shibashis Dutta we've not only got clients from Canada, but also from around the world.We've very familiar with setting up the proper USA tax options for foreign clients:)

The mortgage payment alone will be about 52% of the debt to income ratio (DTI).Based on this, add townhouse/HOA fee, insurance (sometimes included in HOA), property tax, the mandatory mortgage insurance will put you solidly over the DTI. 

Based on what I have heard/read thus far, it seems like I don't need a formal legal structure such as LLC for running this is as an active business (but I may set up an LLC for asset protection, which is allowed by my mortgage lender).

Estimating based on running numbers in Rochester, NY, at that purchase price and total rent you probably end up breaking even before accounting for maintenance, vacancy and capital expenses.

The city offers various multi-family housing options suitable for house hacking, including duplexes, triplexes, fourplexes, and townhouses.Regarding the mortgage securing, I could be of help with that, I work for a private lender that lends in 48 states, including North Caroline.Find a realtor familiar with investment properties and house hacking strategies in Charlotte.

If you never intend on selling, no problem, but if you do my recommendation is to have your exit option very clearly laid out and a good lawyer to draft it up. 

What I was looking at also suggested to give them the option to use ride share with me or they drive themselves.

He's local to Baltimore and will be able to give you the best options you can currenly get.

What alternative funding options did you explore?