I am leaning on local first for my next investment, but not ruling out an out-of-market opportunity. 

Not sure if I'm doing something wrong but the map here used to shaded in terms of the filter selected (i.e. RTP, Unemployment, etc). Did that stop or is not working for me? 

Insurance is something you don't need until you need it....In my market the city requires a certain kind of policy in order to have your permit issued. 

For example, if a seller comes to you, looking for you to help them sell their house, your first responsibility is to help them get the most money for their house, and not try to buy their house as an investor for cheaper.

I furnish about 80% of my properties off of facebook market place and places like that. 

Are the tenants paying market rents?

Keep the current investment and buy another house hack to live in.

My plan is to sell my primary home in New York and purchase a house to live in South Carolina.

Lol.They have decent deals from time to time, but they are usually volume based, not in tune with market, and more motivated to push a sale than to really see if a deal is good or not.

You want to have your financial house in order so you know what you CAN afford and what you SHOULD spend.