Full appraisals are currently $700-$1000 depending on the market.Usually, the benefit of the desktop appraisal is speed.

It's my guess that if someone had these, they wouldn't put them on the internet, they'd buy them themselves.I buy mine "off market" by direct to seller contact.

You can still find acceptable deals depending upon your intended use of the property and how unloved of a property you are willing to purchase ... but they are further and further apart.  

As to the internet I don't think you will have two service addresses.

The internet has changed so much in real estate education- so it feels a little overwhelming and right now I'm trying to find the right entry point.My goal- 3 single-family home rental properties in my portfolio before the end of 2024. 

I am not in love with them in terms of the aesthetic, but they can be a good choice depending on the room. 

With regard to point 2 it is very dependant on rental demand. 

What do you recommend as a starting point of capital before investing  Depends on which area you're in.

Depends on the agent who you are working with.

Depending on your equity structure you can play with the GP/LP equity.