Another thing, if your cleaners bring their own vacuums, they could be transferring them from house to house. 

It's tough to recommend without sitting down and talking to you to determine what your goals are.What I would suggest is just buying an occupied or vacant house that doesn't need reno or minor reno, then either have a realtor rent it out for you and you take over day to day management, or you can put PM in place. 

Quote from @John Laseter: Good morning all, Saturday afternoon a gentleman knocked on my door and produced a postcard that I had sent to his house offering to buy it.

I currently have a fixed rate of 2.25% for 25 yrs.

I did learn, however, and I flipped a house successfully. 

The cost of housing has exploded. 

There is not a separate entrance to the basement, but the stairs to the basement are in a laundry room in the back part of the house.

His rates are well below market, even for the small town he is in.

The new owner has not authorized the work on house.

Trying to house hack in Los Angeles which is obviously really difficult.