I'm considering having ductless mini split AC installed in my 4br2ba SFR (house hacking primary residence).I live in SoCal and although it doesn't get extremely hot at the house, there are definitely a lot of times I wish the house had AC.

We helped paint the entire home, laid sod (and even paid for some of it), stained the deck, repaired the hot tub and did other various maintenance to the home while living there.

So in a hot market (i.e. closer to a downturn), the 2 houses is a better choice.

I have no doubt that the Bronx one day will become a hot spot such as Queens and recently Brooklyn. i am starting to feel that i need to get in soon before the prices go up higher than now. i am going to study the Bronx closer and i will look to get into contact with @George Hermann for further information.

The rental market, so we've been told/read/heard is very hot, just all about finding the right tenants at this point and figuring out the many details.

Save $10K asa down payment to be able to purchase an REO/HUD/Homepath home.Tactics:·       Strategy #1:RE Market Knowledgeo  By 8/16 - Talk to at least 2 Realtors in each city of interest(Crestview, Fort Walton, Niceville, Destin) about each market:§  SFR: ·        Inventory ·        # of Sales and Hot Neighborhoods·        Price ranges·        # of Foreclosures·        Rental Prices/ Inventory/ Best Renting home types§  Duplexes/Townhomes:·        Inventory ·        # of Sales and Hot Neighborhoods·        Price ranges·        # of Foreclosures·        Rental Prices/ Inventory/ Best Renting home types§  Realtors:·        Do/Have they worked with investors?

Which as you can imagine are NOT going to be the best deals.So you may consider using Hard Money and then refinancing into a conventional loan if you want to stay competitive with other CASH Buyers in a HOT market. 

Or if a hot water system is repaired with a new hot water heater and billed $475, then that would be an expense vs depreciated, but then back to useful life over 12 months. 

When I was a PM in the Midwest, I managed several (old) buildings with hot water or steam heat.

Not saying its not done often, but keep in mind that your agent will be more than likely to pay the price for doing, so be upfront with them about your intensions