Slow and steady DOES WORK!  

I'm looking for good recommendations for how to set up a separate account for this venture separate from my personal bank account since we'll be incurring expenses and have a steady stream of rental income, which will be split 50/50.

Are you saying home prices alone have increased whereas market rents have held steady?

I will be making a steady 72K income, and wanted to take advantage of house-hacking in a part of NY like Buffalo with comparably lower real estate prices than where I am originally from (North NJ which has outrageous real estate prices).

Vacancy is low, demand is steady.

The DFW area has remained steady. 

In fact historically values have remained relatively steady and in line with national averages, avoiding huge peaks and valleys some other markets have experienced.

Not a lot of steady income at the moment, but I'd like something that won't turn my clients away from paying online and using their credit cards.I've noticed many programs charge interchange fee + % + additional $0.30+ per transaction.Ive noticed a few programs charge 2.9%+ of the overall cost.Many clients will be spending a decent amount on the construction projects and these additional fees may price me out the door.Trying to stream line the process by emailing a proposal, client electronically sign it and insert their deposit in order for me to schedule the job.

I think if you're searching for your first and plan to acquire many, it might benefit you to look at areas with steady growth, near a relatively good sized city, and a state/city where your taxes won't be a huge drag.

Because if sales were holding steady while prices were declining, at least it would represent market adjusting to demand and conditions?