Owner-occupants can pay more since they are not looking for a "return on investment" per say. 

Since I'm paying cash up front I could realistically acquire 50 units across 2 or 3 properties within a 10mi radius.

Have a lower monthly payment, not pay PMI, be able to save a bit more from the W2 jobs each month, as well as having a greater percentage of the mortgage covered by the upstairs tenants. 

Tenants insurance should pay as that is what renters insurance is for. 2.

They were able to dodge actually paying me by invoicing me for things they haven't actually done yet....

While you do pay a fund management fee the diversification provided by the fund more than offsets the minimal cost.

If you want the most accurate and deep data, you'll have to pay for it.

One thing to consider if possible is to pay attention to the schools in the area and try to buy in an area with a higher school rating.

Just like everything else, with cost seg you get what you pay for, and $400 doesn't pay for much.

There are huge numbers of jobs here that pay $25 an hour, which based off a 40 hour work week, make tenants qualified for a $1,350 a month apartment.