I think the panhandle area is pretty solid for rentals.

So my advice is to keep that in mind when you're looking or rental comps (even if it's rented now) to make sure you factor for a potentially higher vacancy rate than other properties if you can't find solid comps that are similar to yours. 

This Is a solid middle class neighborhood with upper middle creeping in.

If it cash flows, and you decide to self manage to make it cash flow more, that's great, but if it doesn't cash flow without you it's probably not a deal.Option 3: Same opinion as option 2.Option 4: I like this one, but refer to option 1 about doing plenty of research and not putting all eggs in 1 basket.Option 5: (You missed this one so I figured I'd throw it in for good measure) Real estate notes, probably not in the Bay Area (though possibly if you got lucky)  You can pick a market not so inflated that still looks solid for appreciation and population growth and fund a fix and flip buy or possibly a builder (both shorter term hopefully) or a fix and flip to owner finance guy like me for a longer term safer returns. 

Side notes:• Our application is solid.

I usually get an hour of solid work in before anyone else shows up and it's typically my best hour of the day.

I think house-hacking is a solid strategy, I'd be happy to give you some insight on the Queens market and surrounding areas. 

Working on pre-qualification so I can really start shopping.I’ve been talking with a few realtors/brokers as well and have started getting some traffic with off-market deals.My next challenge is finding a few solid contractors.  

@Joe Delgrosso congrats on the solid ROI. 

Who knows what the market is in 10 years, what major repairs will be needed in 2 years, what major repairs will be needed because of tenant issues, whether or not you can keep it rented for the next 10 years solid, will Ft Lauderdale be above water in 10 years if you believe what certain people say, and any number of other things that can happen to this property that currently costs you money every month.