No, a hard money loan wouldn't be an ideal option based on what you described for a couple reasons.First, hard money lenders don't typically loan on owner-occupied properties, and it sounds like that's what you're looking for.Second, and more importantly, hard money loans are usually short term loans better suited for fix-and-flips or for projects where you have a clear exit strategy. 

Advertise to recruit a lot of prospective tenants and then narrow down the ideal candidate through the vetting process.

Being a RE agent will help big time in investing since you'll ideally have the support, network and be in the business to be successful.

Ideal time to start, build a database so when Spring time comes you'll have business.

I don't necessarily mind not cash flowing but obviously not ideal situation.

I was first searching for small multifam properties, but have been getting more settled with the idea of a 3bd single family home with a basement that I can convert into another bedroom/studio (I'm a musician/drummer, so it would ideal to have an area I can work out of where I also live).

You should have a trusting relationship with your realtor who ideally has investment properties in the same area and they should be steering you clear of a poor purchasing decision based on area and condition.

They want a comfortable desk and office chair and, ideally, they want it in a room they can close off from the rest of the house for quiet and privacy while in meetings.

Personally, I like the idea of house hacking, ideally once per year, or as frequently as you're able to qualify for the next house hack.

I assume that the majority of tenants would likely be travel nurses so it seems logical that a market with a large hospital would be ideal...I just feel like there are a lot of cities that have decent sized hospitals so I'd love to hear opinions on what markets could be most profitable.