May even have a negative effect. 

If you can find something with a legal basement suite already, that is going to be your best bet. 

Understanding the rehab costs and how it will effect the calculations and THEN still putting in the offer(with the actual intent to purchase) is the hard part.

or can I effectively research homes online?

I work full time as a General contractor but my skills are more suited for entrepreneurship and management so I’d like to phase out of physical labor in the next few years...any advice would be appreciated! 

Cost control includes doing only the necessary work, managing tenant requests, and using cost-effective vendors.

Thus by the commonly understood sense of the word you cannot steal title to my property by forging my signature on a deed and I won't hold my breath waiting for someone to come up with a convincing rebuttal.I don't consider myself hung up on terminology but I do, not to be trite, strive to say what I mean and mean what I say.My opinion on the possibility and effect of home title theft, deed theft or whatever you choose to call is based on experience and not internet stories. 

If I could directly reach out, that would be helpful for me too.My understanding so far was, as long as one of the co-owners occupy the place, the property can be bought as primary residence and the loan and mortgage interest, downpayment requirements will follow suit.

hi i just bought a mixed property in rural az.  a mix of stick built and Mobil homes/rvs.
i am advertising on craigslist and face book.  Zero response.
does anyone have any suggestions on how to invest in advertisin...

Let's start a discussion...Build To Rent is an effective strategy to solve any communities affordable housing issue.