My wife made the floor plan and made all the design choices that made it sell so quickly.

Once you get into the bigger commercial stuff, you can purchase software specific to your asset class of choice, but still make sure you understand what that software is doing and don't just blindly plug in numbers.Hope this helps a bit. 

If you live in a no income tax state it is reasonable and there are plenty of choices, if you live in a high tax state like CA it doesn't matter and may actually be better to also invest in a high tax state because you get credit for taxes paid to other states on your state income taxes.However there may be better deals in states that do have taxes but you'll be fine with or without them.

Where I'm located your best bet is to get someplace that needs some work so you can force appreciation while having a small mortgage obligation because your renters are covering the majority for you.I think you should be careful with your numbers in these situations so you know what to expect for income/expenses going in and aren't blindsided.

It all depends on your investment plan.There is a time point you can calculate that these two choices cost the same. 

Start with house hacking or condo hacking by using VA loan is the best choice.

I think purchasing a turnkey as a rental is a personal choice. 

I do not think and I wouldnt bet that prices would drop. 

For BP folks, real estate investing is the small business of choice. 

I agree with @Joe Villeneuve that partnering would be the best bet for your first property, and in the same idea why I would suggest house hacking in your own area first.