You bring up a good point - if you aren't too familiar with a specific area I would utilize an agent to vet deals but not necessarily bring the deals to you.

@Kyle Cooper If you like pools, add approximately $200-$300 per month for additional maintenance and utility bills, plus a higher insurance premium.

Eventually you will run out of your own money and will need to start utilizing OPM and creative financing.

The Tax Code offers so many opportunities to those who know how to utilize it.

Therefore, after a few discussions with the wife, we decided that we will sell the single house and use that money to buy a few more multi-family in the next 2 to 3 years utilizing the profit. 

Therefore, after a few discussions with the wife, we decided that we will sell the single house and use that money to buy a few more multi-family in the next 2 to 3 years utilizing the profit. 

I have done a few flips and long-term rentals in the past but I am trying to get started with short-term rentals and utilizing AirBnb and/or VRBO.

Assuming numbers are for year 2, when you rent it out.  1) Make sure all utilities are in the tenant's name, including sewer/water, trash, etc. 

Anyone able to tell me what the average utility costs are in that area?

In my experience as a property manager, I can tell you that any time we need to act on an owner's behalf with an outside agency (utilities, city inspection offices, housing authorities, attorneys), we need to show proof that we have been authorized to act on behalf of the owner that is named on the tax record.