I can have my management company pick it up, but they’ll charge about $90/hour plus add 10% to the purchase price.We live several states away, so doing it ourselves is not an option.

If you can live below market in your area, i consider that a win!

@Mikhail EgeDoes Alex live in the house he's renting for 4k per month?

My tenant lives in the unit above me and has been there since before I purchased the property (She is also a section 8 recipient).

You are asking for a lotTo get a deal, with location and needs.You need a good place to live for your Mom so she is close to supermarket restaurant may be park.Find the best place for your Mom and yes work on the financing. 

Which area works best for multi-family investing will depend on a few factors:- will you be living in the property as well?

I live in Illinois, if that factors into any decision on what my initial strategy should be. 

Recommend any tips (for STRs), any guidance etc.We live in the Phoenix metro area..Thanks everyone.

I am planning on House Hacking the 3 unit (live in 1 rent out the other 2)  for a year or 2 and then move out a rent my unit out.$200k is a lot of money if you are in a flat market.   

There is fire wood left in the backyard by previous tenants and hope not but what if snakes starts living there and bite the tenant will it be our liability?