Having a property management company seems to be a good option for me since I am living out of state.

. :)This is especially true if you rely on furnishedfinder.com as your primary lead source (which you shouldn't, but that's another post) as when you make that connection with a prospective resident, you are selling yourself as a landlord as much as you are the property as a place to live.

I'll let others chime in on their experiences, but from a motivational perspective, I think attending live events and getting the "conference high" is something that only happens through in-person connections and being in the same room with investors who are eagerly pursuing their real estate/financial goals. 

Quote from @Jemini Leckie: Hello, I am trying to understand the Orem, city code to determine if I am allowed to rent my basement ADU that I currently live in two a couple cousins and their friend.

If you are just starting out, this is for you:When you buy an investment property, it is treated differently than a house you are going to live in. 

Because if you need to live off the cash flow what you're really looking for is a business. 

The reason to have comparables is if you are representing someone or perhaps purchasing a house for yourself to live in.

If you go into Central or South Scottsdale (Old Town) $1M will buy you a smaller, older home, OR half of a big, remodeled home (as alot of the Arcadia and Old Town area are turning over old small homes to be big beautiful homes in the $2.5M range and higher).There are options.....for both buying and renting, that would work with your situation.By the way....it's 51 degrees in North Scottsdale right now where I live. 

I'm imagining something more like add a wall, turn a bedroom into a kitchen-living on one side and a formal dining room into a bedroom on the other side, maybe add a half bath in each unit.

Kyle  My father-in-law did this by creating a portfolio that is primarily debt-free single-family rentals in the city he lives in.