The duplex was expensive and with rates as high as they are, I was not able to save money house hacking.

Is that a high crime area?

I'm perfectly willing to pay for my MLS access, but I don't want to pay the high membership fees for KCRAR.Can anybody shed some light on this process? 

ya those lenders are often pretty well known for working with many of the high end west coast prefab cos

Also, there is a shortage of housing and a very high demand for rentals due in part to being a tourist town, but also because of an influx in people on coming from the west coast. 

I would highly suggest you look into Southern California, specifically, the Palm Springs / Coachella Valley area of Southern California.

:Class A Properties:Cashflow vs Appreciation: Typically, 3-5 years for positive cashflow, but you get highest relative rent & value appreciation.Vacancy Est: Historically 10%, 5% the more recent norm.Tenant Pool: Majority will have FICO scores of 680+, zero evictions in last 7 years.Class B Properties:Cashflow vs Appreciation: Typically, decent amount of relative rent & value appreciation.Vacancy Est: Historically 10%, 5% should be applied only if proper research done to support.Tenant Pool: Majority will have FICO scores of 620-680, some blemishes, but should have no evictions in last 5 yearsClass C Properties:Cashflow vs Appreciation: Typically, high cashflow and at the lower end of relative rent & value appreciation.

For this reason, I highly recommend the 2 BR option over the 1 BR.  

@Sheifta Anwar Highly unlikely….banks know they get the best price by getting on the market and most banks are just servicing for the actual loan holders…and they have policies to put it on the market.

Finding quality tenants is certainly a legitimate concern that every investor has had at some point in their career.