Their advice is generic and made to entertain a mass audience. 

@Travis Peterson  You’ve got different options based on your personal financial picture.

Guiding, advising, meeting in person, hours on the phone, discounting on property price and services.Properties appraised for more than you paid, you sold for more than you paid.

I assist clients in figuring out methods to finance real estate, and house hacking is my bread and butter.Something i've done personally and continue to help new inspiring investors do every day.

BP is a great place to start however I feel in person gets you further.

BUt why cant i get a lien when the person clearly agreed to pay back in a contract and he failed to pay? 

We have a person on board with a degree in design, so we usually tweak the floor plans for sight lines and function.

I'm further assuming that both your personal home, and the property, are both in Lancaster County. 

Personally, I have a boutique investment company.

House hacking will also give you some personal "property management" experience.