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

Hello @Michael Crocker,It’s great to see someone else taking a strategic and educated approach to real estate investment.

Yes, a lot of personal finance people preach the rent option, but house hacking is almost always superior. 

It is either rented or it's not and when it's not it can quickly become a financial alligator.I would be surprised if a duplex in Lansing was more expensive than a single family house in Maine.As far as managing from a distance without a property manager, I would not advise it personally.

Hey everyone joined to gain further knowledge and education in all things Realestate.

Online auctions such as auction.com or hubzu.com or even in person auctions. 

Start off with a SFH that you can get at least cash flow neutral on a long-term rental and let your education begin that way.

Business credit & personal savings How did you add value to the deal?

I personally haven't heard the best things about CA tenant laws.

You're the only member and the activity of the property is reported on your personal tax return.