This my friends on BP is just the reality of Real Estate you have two basic methods One mom and pop keep their day jobs and start buying long term hold rentals as they can afford them and if they like it they keep at it..Two you jump in the game and try to make money transactionally IE RE Broker  Flipper Wholesaler MLO  leasing agent etc etc.. this also is a long term ramp.. what the Guru programs attract generally speaking is those that get excited think they can somehow buy a program ( any program pick one) and its going to jump start them to this mythical financial freedom everyone talks about..

That’s why I still do most of my own turns even though at one time I had over 30 units and can definitely afford not to. 

or like anyone paying 30k for homes in Cupertino in the 60s  sky hi sum.. or when i went to buy my first home in 78 Cupertino was 100k who could afford that.

Having good accountants will be an important item to afford scalability. 

If you can't afford a system, then partner with someone that does.5.

If I were you I would house hack in RI, specifically in Providence in as good an area as you can afford. 

Real reviews from real guests are always going to come across as more genuine.After you build up reviews, the unsaid truth is that you can then afford a less-than-stellar review.

Just remember there are less people that can afford the 1 million dollar plus houses than can afford the $300 to $400 thousand dollar houses .

Or would you be open to other areas not mentioned that may be more affordable? 

Just get into the market (IF you can afford it).