I knew that the property would be easy to sell to another investor or owner occupant, as it was affordable and a 3BR/2BA of 1,650SF so it checks the boxes for many prospective buyers.

Right now you say it is $400/mo but in the summer it is much less so you need an average. you can't gouge tenants or you'll get a phone call one day from a lawyer. 

It requires no money upfront, so you will join thousands of others trying to do the same in your market.

So a loss of about 55k We did a lease to own option so I could immediately take over expenses but keep their primary resident loan and interest rate.We agreed to a deal which would cover all their expenses at closing, their remaining loan balance, and $45,000.

They said that was too low for them, so I offered $175,000 and they accepted. 

So, let's try some local real estate meetup groups.

I wasn't going to let this deter me so I began looking for deals but the numbers just didn't pan out.

Consider the Local Tenant Pool & Seasonal Demand•Gainesville is a college town, so student tenants might be a big part of the rental market.

Pittsburgh has to be one of the best markets for house hacking so we are definitely blessed.

Having owned property in rockford its not a great appreciation area so getting a HELOC will probably take 5-10 years based on loan pay down and maybe some slight appreciation.