Almost all documents that are needed for closing (Bank, Credit Card statements, brokerage accounts, etc) are on line.  

I would house hack till I die if I could but unfortunately it is not in the cards for now.

Higher prices, higher risk, but higher return if you play your cards right and make the numbers work.

Proximity to amenities, transport links, and future infrastructure developments can significantly impact property value. 

Sell, pocket $200k in equity, appreciation since they bought it, bank 25% for a new deposit in a year once they repair credit, buy two new second hand cars because they need them, pay off credit card debt, put a little extra to the side for increased rent payments for next 12 months, and reorganize to buy in 12-18 months... now they see the light, a chance to move forward, to not stress, and they're lucky the market increased so much... but if they struggle to keep it, struggle to make payments, then 10 months realize they need to sell, would they have as much equity, maybe, maybe not..  

Ask for report cards of the children!

Aven offers a credit card that taps into home equity. 

I have been trying to use Melio Payments (recommended by Fund N Grow) to use my AMEX credit cards to pay for real estate purchases.

So think walkable (bonus) or by public transportation, if not garage parking is a must for when they come home late.

Or look at the property record cards in the towns you plan to invest for the multi families and see whose names/llc’s continually come up.