There are definitely situations where selling to a wholesaler is someone's bets option, but they're the exception, not the rule.

There is high demand for rental properties so as a result rent growth is strong.

One of our tenants had a higher water bill due to the leak that has happened because of water heater failure. Who is responsible for the water bill according to NC Landlord Tenant laws. Is it Landlord or tenant? 

You can dive into the specifics of that here if you'd like to see why they jumped so high YoY.What I'm saying is, HOAs are a lower entry point of course, can be lucrative if you analyze the deals as traditional long term rentals....BUT, you ultimately have little to no control over specials assessments, HOA fee increases, and even rule and regulation changes that can impact your investment.

There's a lot of risk and it's highly competitive today.

Rent appreciation has definitely stagnated.

So look for major universities, cities, , highly educated population, I think would be another place.

I recognize these are highly charged and emotional moments.

It is certainly tougher now to be cashflow positive on a house hack, but is definitely not impossible. 

@Jesse Brooks partner/cosigner will definitely be your path of least resistance.