Brownbear-
I am the only expert on this forum in this particular question.
Powerwash your house. If you want to use a cleaner fine, just make sure you do it again to remove the cleaner residue.
Airless paint spraying will not overspray any of your neighbors at all.
After you are ready for painting, go buy yourself some 48" 3M masking film with a 3M masking dispenser($25-35 for the dispenser)
Film is is about $8-12/roll. It also comes in 72", 99"(prolly won't need) and 24".
Also get some 9" masking paper(dispenser works with this as well)
Use 1" tape for all of these applications.
Use tarps maybe get 3 9x12'ers. That should work.
Use the above items to "prep" your house. Tape up the electric meter, windows, doors, light fixtures, basically anything YOU don't want overspray on.
The only reason you need the tarps is so you don't overspray your bushes, etc. Depending on how close your neighbors are- if they are 3' away, then yes, overspray can be an issue.
Go rent an airless electric spray(Graco would be best). Use a 5-13 tip orifice. Should work great.
Throw latex down your toilet. Try to use a 100% acrylic. Not sure what kind of paint stores you have where you live. Try not to go with a big box store whenever possible, as they are geared for Suzy homemaker.
If you want to prime, you can, however not necessary with a 100% acrylic. The reason you need to use this , is acrylics expand and contract with temperature changes.
For instance- I use a universal primer(oil) topcoated with 100
%acrylics on all of my pole barn/metal building repaints.
All of the house repaints I have done, do not require the oil base primer. If you want to use a primer, a 100% acrylic primer is also available.
I think I have covered this to an extent. Good luck and keep me posted.
Best
Scott