You need to keep in mind the person that was living in your property is a seasoned lowlife.

There are other cash shortfalls that will come up, which you will need to cover, especially if your stretched at the very start.Work on your own living arrangements as your first investment. 

I live in AZ, left to live in CA for 14 years, then moved back in 2007. 

I have a tenant who has lived in our 4 plex for almost 15 years, long before my husband and I purchased it 6 years ago.

I currently live in Nashville TN.

I grew up just north of San Francisco and moved to Reno, NV to live and invest. 

The plan is to live in this house, leave for a month or two during peak season to travel and/or visit family and cash in on July-August STR income in Maine.

Hey Landon,I live in Knoxville, TN if you'd like to network.

I would be househacking my first property whether it's living in one of the units for a year while renting the other side simultaneously or living in the entire home for the first year and then renting it afterwards. 

Just use the debt wisely and you'll be fine. 7% is high but if you get the right property that still makes money (or that you enjoy living in), you can always refinance.