Your friend is wise, @Brandon Elliott.

Anyways, I am not sure how to approach this personality wise.

Morgan county (and the city of Decatur especially) have really lagged in appreciation compared to the other two counties mentioned, and I actually think Decatur could get passed by Athens proper in the next decade population wise. 

On the property, and on who you are financially and possibly experience wise.

@Chase WrightReal estate investing involves setting goals, checking if you're ready money-wise, and learning a lot.

So I just am not a participant at all any more (personally, not investment-wise), and through my agent I know there's a lot of people where I am on this track. 

Borrowing from the equity must be done wisely, or you will have negative cash flow and beat high risk due to over-leveraging.NOTE: I use interest rates much lower than they currently are in 2024!

If a self manager replaces a bad professional then they are making a wise decision for them.

Next year I want to find my first deal and it will be around that area as anything else closer in the Bay Area is ridiculous price-wise!

I'm thinking it might be wise to invest into the rental market and live in a unit for now and then buy a primary later on.