Rent out a room, or two or 3 in your new place to friends, family, co-workers. 

What was the population of the metro on this one?

I generally prefer higher since I don’t plan on putting in small claims, it’s basically just for catastrophic loses and the savings in premiums over multpiple properties for multiple years should balance that out if I have ever have to use the insurance.

But this is Rare.. you cant compare most low value areas of cities in the mid west or Rust belt to Charleston SC.. 

My question is, If one is to be strictly commission based, Is finding a broker with mortgage industry similar to finding a broker with real estate?

I wanted to get everyone's pros and cons.

Any ideas how to lower this or use it as a owner occupied property?  

I am not saying or comparing them to Norada, just saying that make sure you truly understand what it is you are investing in if you go this route. 

Quote from @Katie Camargo: I'm just starting out as an investor (about to close on our 2nd investment property - this one is in Virginia and our other property is in North Carolina). 

I’m in that market, I specialize in this sort of thing, I’m happy to give you my 2 cents.