I have stopped by a local bank in my hometown to inquire about a construction loan and it's SUPER complicated or maybe it was that specific bank making it complicated. 

If you have specific questions about property management, I'll be happy to help!

If you can get approved for a loan they will be happy if you make the payments on time.What specifically are you concerned about?  

Then they will be able to give you a much better guidance on specific costs. 

What specific markets still generate good returns in your opinion?

Contracts are state specific so you need one from local attorneys.

I've heard it mentioned several times in the podcasts, but they either didn't get into specifics, or I didn't take good notes. 

I have NOT been able to do this as much as I would like to here, and it's hurt me a bit so far.I would further recommend Option #1 on your list, and I would recommend @Craig Curelop's approach to house-hacking (IMO, his podcast on the BP Money Show and the straightforward approach he lays out is pure gold for anyone thinking about househacking in an expensive metro area).I would buy my first book on basic home maintenance before I bought my first property, specifically How Your House Works by Charlie Wing.

The thing that is concerning me is what is going on with the trade war and  whether or not it will domino its way down into real estate specifically with lay offs that would reduce prices of homes because of people losing their homes.

I'm mainly looking for a general type of maintenance guy to handle most common requests and if something comes around that is over his head, that's when I could go to the specific contractor.