I tried to research the best and most user-friendly PM site that did not charge a fee to maintain a property, being that it was my first one and I was self-managing and not using a PM.  

It is great that you are already thinking ahead about scaling your portfolio.Since you are a veteran, have you looked into using a VA loan for a multifamily property?

I've worked with this lender several times before, but always on single family new construction.I'm building 2 town homes under a single roof, on a single parcel of land. 

Househacking is a solid entry point for most people.

So, tell a story of how you (or a fellow wholesaler) helped a seller out with their challenge(s).

While hard/soft money lending is outside my area of expertise, I'd like to discuss a potential levered IRR scenario.Consider a $2.1 million property acquisition (10 cap) using a 1031 exchange with a $715,000 down payment.

In 2024 I added a half bathroom our of existing space in a high cost area (over $2k/ft). 

I would even suggest a Primary home or Vacation home to pull the cash out of versus trying to find a lender who will agree to be in 2nd lien position behind a investment property.

Focus on finding a good REI focused accountant.

Another student rental that has a mortage of 900k me and my wife live here on a private floor. thrid property is also another rental ( duplex w a mortage of 390k ) was fully rented but tenant upstairs has moved out a year ago so I decided to renovated to do short term rental added in 2 ensuite rooms.