I got started in real estate investing by house hacking myself as well!

It always does well.

I use Foremost also.1million should be fine.

I'm open to out of state investments as well. 

Seeing it was only elec as well that is strange. $295 in the winter if the heat is running the blower motor(s) all day could be justified for a larger 6-unit building but I'd have to see the historical elec charges to know.

We stick to high quality neighborhoods and homes and are doing really well with it.

And will you be utilizing property management firms to help out? 

Ideally, I’d like to become so much of value that I’d be paid for my help/ services.

From there once a deal makes sense, pull the trigger, a lot of folks get stuck in analysis paralysis and I’m not saying don’t do your due diligence or be smart about it, but acting quickly and with intention will benefit you greatly in the long run.

It will be remote, but since you live there now, you probably already have connections who either already know the house or local friends to find you good people to service things as needed.