It helps to start out with money because otherwise you will need to build capital.  

Location, Location, Location is really the best start to ensuring your jam packed throughout the year and not just seasonal.

This seems excessive and overpriced, especially since only the front of the building has the water issue.

Get a standard 30-year DSCR on it and start the process now. 

Then the market changes and you need to start testing something new. 

I'm in the union on long island so I have a decent W2 job to help get started, I think a house hack would be my best bet starting out but, what do you guys think?

Looking for guidance on buying our first investment property in Southern California or in Ohio (around Columbus)  to start off with . 

You gotta be ready to accept that, and building a system, and organization like James has to navigate crazy. 

You can close in the business name/LLC here.You are not required to have your investment property in the business name, however, some lenders and bank may require it if they are a purely business purpose, lending institution who servicing companies, mandate commercial purpose only.And yes, finally you can get landlord insurance.I recommend shopping around and comparing a few quotes to get started happy to connect to talk further strategy and detail.

Looking for building plans for building similar to the photo.