I live in NYC and I’ve yet to check the market.This year I plan on doing as much research as possible as me and my brothers save our money for our first deal, there’s 3 of us total.If you read this far thanks so much!

Again, it looks like you have already started to do most of this which is great.If you have the flexibility and given you've already indicated a desire for a SFR or Small Multi...I'd buy a small multifamily and live in one side and rent the others.

I guess where you guys live, it is not required to have a Mold Remediation Company do the work?

Jerry, I live in Myrtle Beach and am a Real Estate Agent here.

I live in one side with my partner and rent out the other side (along with an RV garage that is on the property).

The common legal reasons to not renew the tenant are to move in family or to do a rehab large enough that tenant cannot live in the unit.  

Where else have you lived and where do your closest friends and family live, maybe someone you wouldn't mind partnering a little with for boots on the ground?

I live on 5 acres and have plenty of space to build this rental.

No living room sounds like a deal breaker, would at the very least depress the rent you could otherwise get for it. 

We live in San Diego and have been saving up to invest in our first property.