Because I live in Washington, DC, I'm looking in the Washington, Baltimore area. 

Landlords are not even allowed to enforce the back rent owed in many cases now....I own multiple rental houses throughout King County, bought 1 more earlier this year and was buying 4 more this year but I will absolutely NOT buy more rentals in WA.

I plan to house hack a property preferably in Washington or Multonomah county next summer.

I finally sold the place in 2015 at a windfall profit, and bought duplexes in a small town near Olympia Wa, an area to which I moved in the meantime.

@Nakisha Washington it can be a powerful vehicle for generating cash reserves but I agree with @Wayne Brooks that navigating the process is tricky and has high failure rate.  

Option 1:I'm thinking of purchasing a small 1BD unit in Scottsdale/Phoenix, AZ because I'm from there and familiar (granted I live in Washington, D.C. right now) but the waived eviction notice and COVID puts doubt in my mind that spreading myself thin right now is a good idea.

My q: do I work to get a mortgage under my LLC w a commercial lender for a residential property?

It is in Tacoma Washington and meets all the requirements except for the zone.

Multiple bank accounts, multiple tax returns, separate books, and other administrative tasks cost money as well as taking valuable time. i am skeptical of this because of things they may not tell you.

- I reside in Washington DC & Tucson AZ, currently.Washington DC, Alexandria, VA, Virginia, Norther Virginia, Tucson AZ, Pima County