I see out of state people make a few mistakes in their approach like not using attorneys to represent them in the purchase or downplaying issues that come up on inspections up front.  

The plan is to get started in those two cities, learn from my mistakes and then venture to other markets mentioned like Chicago, Philly, Atlanta and Kansas City. 

Youll make mistakes in the beginning, but if you start small and put the right "team" together (i.e. a good deal finder such as an agent, a lender, a property manager, etc) then youll minimize your risk while learning so much from diving in.

It’s nice to have people to talk to that aren’t going to tell you how “risky” real estate is, or how “you’re making a mistake” by getting into it.

For house hack, I like houses at an average condition (not the worst or the best), like houses built around 1970, rare but still exist.

Horizontal metal drain pipes are plugged and don't drain,leak at worst times.

I know this may sound harsh, but I'd hate to see you lose your family because of a bad financial mistake.

I know in the worst-case scenario, if spend money to make the repairs I can pull a HELOC/ private loan and in the long run the benefits outweigh the negatives and all the expenses (as this is an investment).

Provo has the worst cashflow- only slightly positive which could be easily wiped out with a major repair or extented vacancy. 

You will make a lot of mistakes, but that's okay - it will keep you from making them again later on a larger scale!