Even then most refuse and refer you to heir lawyers.

I recommend you determine what it will actually cost, then adjust your rent rate accordingly so it's affordable for the renter.

If they respond, you can then pivot accordingly.

If this is a conventional mortgage then you will be underwater and it is a bad deal.

if he bought pre-pandemic then yes they will cash flow.if I were you I'd look at Allentown - closer to NY, higher median income and only a slightly higher price point.

If you're lowering your living expenses at all while buying an asset then I consider it a win. 

I used a program in Minnesota to finance a small downpayment with a no-interest loan, then had a loan from my parents to fill in about $5000 of costs.

Create 2 LLCs- First create an LLC in an Anonymous LLC State like Wyoming - Then create an LLC in the state I'm buying in, like Ohio- The Wyoming LLC would own the Ohio LLC - When purchasing properties, title deed would show the Ohio LLC name instead of meNegatives:California makes all tax residents register their LLCs with the State, even those formed in different states (and requires you submit the names of the owners) so this would defeat the purpose trying to stay off of public record.  

I am personally not a fan of single family house hacks, but if that's all you got available in the area where you want to be and at the price point you can afford, then you have to go with that. 

Generally if you buy in the cold season, it means the sellers are more motivated... but it means you're not going to see all the inventory since most buyers don't want to buy then.