There are many conventional products for 2-4 units whether as a house-hack or an investment.

I bought a 7 house portfolio from a private seller.

Have her drop off the cheque at a set location and time halfway between where you live and the rental (or her work) or go by the house to pick it up. 

I've shopped house insurance every other year since I bought my first house in 1985.

I work in analytics consulting and have managed my finances and investments well by myself. 401k, investment accounts, high yield savings account, own a house in a nice neighborhood with a traditional 30-yr mortgage, etc. 

I know you mentioned you are looking to flip houses yourself in the BHAM market. 

This way we are still paying the same amount, but renting the house while we live downtown.

We house hacked it the first year, and maybe would have had enough equity to get a HELOC, but didn’t do it.

3. lastly since I am virtual instead of going myself to the property can I hire a house inspector and how much would it be?

That depends on who runs the White House, whether China invades, whether Yellowstone blows up, and 10,000 other unknowns.