We identified a neighbourhood that has an incredibly unique character, which really doesn't have much expansion opportunity.

"Bank" lending, or conventional loans, have more defined guidelines but then lower rates and fees. 

You have to define the parameters for yourself.

However, back to Enrico's question about the numbers...what would you define as cash flowing for a house hack? 

It’s definately worth the piece of mind.  

Have your terms well defined (cash, cashflow, credit, DTI, job history, etc.). 

Subject To:Subject to Financing Defined.

When a contractor is hired to do a job for a fixed contract price , it is none of the customers business what he pays his subs , how much the material cost , or how much the contractor makes the customer only gets the final bill and all lien releases . " At Cost " is a hard term to define .

I would suggest defining your criteria (2-4 units, renting for xx within these 2 zip codes, under this price point, with X amount of rehab....etc), set-up automatic updates and make a daily effort to do your research and work towards making offers. 

I have learned that the old saying "give an inch, take mile" usually defines these situations.