You can also explore JV partnerships, where an investor funds the deal while you manage the property.

So while some opportunities show good potential always take into consideration the downside possibilities.

You could also add a clause about your ability to terminate the lease if they cause problems in the neighborhood, don't cut the grass, etc.

I've been using second nature for a while but it's been terrible. have a lot of problems with getting damaged air filters

Why not use bank debt or alternative lender debt if you don't qualify yet for bank originated debt?

I’ve been around real estate for decades, and I read in The Economist once that in lively markets like Charlotte, folks will pay a premium for a comfortable room if you’re near major employers.A friend of mine tried something similar out in Austin a while back.. he’d inherited a 4-bedroom property and split it into individual room rentals.

I would like to interject, while data drives decisions, one of the first things I'm looking at is the location and surrounding area. 

You should have, or you should create an amortization table that shows the actual interest paid on the $650k mortgage for the first 6 months while you lived there.

You don't know, what you don't know.Bigger Pockets is a great place to find a tax accountant specializing in real estate taxation.

You don't need to learn REI in your job, that's a side thing.