It gets listed on the MLS by an agent and they put a lock box on your home and it can get sold that way for a lower cost. 

If this is the case, why would these students pay an inflated rate (per room) when rents are typically lower?

That is the price you can wholesale for, so you need to offer lower than that for your cut of the deal.

When I am having trouble renting, I will look at rent to see if it should be lowered.

Another side benefit is property tax rates are much lower than the HRM.

If you own the property in your personal name as opposed to an LLC if you receive a fine it will be substantially lower than the same fine given to an LLC.

(does it make sense to move into the property to lower rents and downpayment), and are you willing to live in the neighborhood you purchase in?

However, in civil courts the burden is much lower than criminal.

That Section 8 estimate was lower than the section 8 website stated, but I am intending on contacting the housing authority to verify what the landlord regulations and what they would be willing to pay for said home in the area. his original asking price was $35k, I've slowly worked him down to this point. upon more investigating it looks like the median home price for the area is around $40k, so I am wary about repairs. 

A proper tax strategy session can accelerate a lot of that and lower your income in the early years.