You could house hack a duplex with STR and either self-manage or look at a property manager/cohost like “Your Home Away Management, LLC”. 

"I recommend double-checking this with the property manager."

Does anyone know a good property management company to recommend in the area of Columbus, GA? 

This type of financing will typically look very different and more like a traditional commercial real estate loan.That means a DSCR calculated based on a full NOI and expense load (so inclusive of vacancy loss estimates, credit loss estimates, repairs and maintenance, utilities, management fees and more – in addition to the property taxes and insurance expense that are the only expenses factored in on traditional residential style DSCR loan financing).Additionally, the DSCR minimums are generally going to be higher (typically up to 1.25x), the loan to value ratios lower (higher down payments) and underwrite more sophisticated (which makes sense considering the size and scope of the property).Many multifamily investors for properties of this size (such as more than 11 units) can syndicate capital and have more sophisticated financial and entity structures – its definitely a different world once you get up here in unit count.In Conclusion – when you are looking to invest in multifamily real estate and finance your investment – make sure you have the unit count in mind before you start shopping – the unit range can have a huge effect on your options.

Typically the "owner" of the "firm," on paper, is simply a Loan Officer or Branch Manager, and all "his" employees are actually Loan Officer Assistants with pay-stubs that say "XYZ Lending" on them.

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

Hello allI have been looking at some areas in Washington state and Str’s around Suncadia caught my eye but it seems there are some restrictions if you don’t use their in-house property management.

Look for a property manager.

I read that it was possible to create a PM company under an LLC and pay myself to manage the properties but then I would be subject to 15% Self Employment taxes.

The involvement of onsite management, often seen as a potential red flag, can lead to the property failing crucial qualification tests.