I can certainly understand how NOI equals cap rate if there is no leverage or extra costs. 

I don't want to extra stress of managing it with my current lifestyle.

If you're carrying at 9-10% on hard money, every extra month costs you serious margin.What I've shifted to is planning backwards from the market.

VA assumptions add an extra layer of complexity that can be challenging for unprepared buyers and sellers.

This allows one extra monthly payment to be paid every year which can accelerate the pay down of the loan, can pay less interest on the loan over time, and build equity faster (while decreasing your LTV, which helps with more financing).From a strategy prospective this can actually benefit you a ton.

Should I spend the extra in better markets that have a higher appreciation, or is it ok to use cash flow to slowly work into markets that cash flow less but have better long term benefits?

I want to build relationship with someone who would always be available in case of an emergency or doing some extra chores

The Blizzard in the Northeast has me exploring here for a few extra days now.The beverage offer still stands.

Like that the Roku system is already integrated, saving some setup headache and needing to plug in an extra piece of equipment. 

If someone fills a closet or room with flammable liquids, chemical products that may generate poisonous fumes under certain circumstances such as flood or fire, stacks of stolen goods they plan to sell online, or, simply fills a garage or "extra" room with used tires and car parts, or barrels of asbestos, who will need to deal with removal and disposal of "Hazardous Waste" if left behind, or worse?