You should always be comfortable to invest if the math works and you are in a position to do so.  

To get the number I did a simple napkin math see how much I need to cover my basic life expenses while staying happy. 

If I can do better in real estate I’m willing to try, but I need to see the math- and see if I agree with it.

We built the potential assessment into our math on the deal, and still believed it to be a winner.- We completed minor cosmetic items as the building was only a few years old including paint and carpets.

If you're dead set on renting that house, find out what it will rent for then do the math.

Let the math make the decision for you.

Pre-approval for FHA loan is secured.Any recommendations on agents in the area that specialize in investment properties and understand the math involved?

The savings is just a math problem that will depend on what kind of lights you are using, what your electric costs are per Kilowatt hour. if the sensors save you 1000 KW per month at an assumed cost of $0.12 cents per kilowatt hour...should save you $120 per month....no clue if those numbers are good assumptions.

I can always do some fun-with-math calculations to see if there would be a nice balance of casho out plus the non-FNMA loan to cover the rest... 

By June 2019 I expect the cash flow would be positive ~$400 but have not actually looked at city wide rent increases in that time (I know all of my tenants got rent increases).The higher appreciating cash flow area will always catch a slower appreciating cash flow area given enough time (it is simple math).