Yes 1k sqft is small but probably much better than living with family.

@Tony SchmuckerYou've done great narrowing it down, but focus on cities you and your spouse would enjoy living in—numbers aren't everything.

Quote from @Ryan Moyer: Quote from @Nick Velez: Hey Anthony,I have a few STR's in Gainesville and have lived here for about 7 years now and know several people with STR's as well.

If you live in Cleveland (a cash-flowing market), I wouldn't look OOS at another pretty similar market.

I went owner occupied either conventional or FHA.  3-5% down at the time you only had to live there 1 year and then you can move out or move on. 

I’ve been starting my research by seeing what is being bought and what is on the market, and live nearby so would like to check out neighborhoods, but am wondering which neighborhoods I should invest in?

I have a client that lives in Hawaii but owns a property in DC area.

Or paying off my debt, while I provide them with a nice house to live in instead of an apartment. 

if you buy it yourself and turn it into a live in flip and absolutely crush it, great! 

You will be living in someone else's house.