The basement is above ground, and in the state of TN, basements are counted as livable square in addition to the upper levels.

NoCo has some confusing zoning and occupancy limits and you need to be more focused on a closer level.

Also, if any of you have worked on a recent similar project, could you provide high level estimates on the build cost per home?

For ME (and hopefully at least one other person) allowing myself to accept the idea of being mediocre to be an acceptable person has freed my thinking to expand where I see those top level performers.

If you’re out of state or out of town obviously you must get some sort of boots on the ground on some level to handle certain details.

in regards averages within the area and level of activity  (Occupancy vs Vacancy)?

This was especially true in 2020 and the decrease in available inventory exacerbated the low supply levels.

We have had some very wet weather here and I have discovered a bit of water on the 3rd floor unit sheetrock, and some water at the wall level (same spot on the building) of the 1st floor unit resulting in some damp sheetrock.

This is an example of why you need reserves before buying a rental property.  On Sept. 3rd, a drunk driver plowed through my single-family rental in Independence, MO.  The link to the news clip is below.  The news got...

On a personal level, I think the easiest way to start is by House Hacking so you live for free and that opens up some cash to get started on your second property.