Also interested in any "Must-Have" Resources that you are familiar with in our neck of the woods!  

Actors Federal Credit Union in your neck of the woods caters to actors, musician and film industry personnel. 

Almost all others are going to end up being a pain in the neck:1) Possible future turnaround for the neighborhood: To be clear, this is what most people assume is going to happen.

Nothing wrong with that but again, you might get more attention that you want and "helping" them isn't usually the most solid position to approach it from.Just my two cents for what I see in this neck of the woods.

Furthermore, some of these same owners prefer doing business the old fashioned way (without bankers / real estate brokers breathing down their neck and inundating them with paperwork).

They are breaking their necks to get out.

I recently accepted a job in Great Neck and was considering using FHA to purchase my first home and maybe generate some rental income.

Any way you cut it, that my friend, is not a good start.A degree is not a guaranteed ticket to success - but the debt many students rack up these days will certainly be a ball and chain around their neck for years and years.

As a side not if you need a hand or want to meet up for a coffee to chat let me know, always good to have another guy out in my neck of the woods. 

Also happy to chat in person if you are thinking of investing in this neck of the woods.