USUALLY a water department can tell you how long the water meter has been running constantly. 

I'm from Long Island, currently looking for a deal myself

If you two can no longer get a long and want to separate, how will you handle that separation peaceably?

Plenty of people invest remotely, and as long as you have modest expectations (not chasing the highest possible yield), and are using light leverage, and don't get suckered into buying in a part of town that you wouldn't feel comfortable visiting in broad daylight, plenty of people do this and do... fine.

A bit, but with all of the chip factories, companies, and new developments coming to town I don't see it softening for long.

Condo or house I am open to either, as long as it can be a reliable rental. 

Half the team focuses on long term rental management and the other half focuses on short term.

So long story short I am still hunting down the contract. 

The house hacking will pay dividends for a long time I’m sure.

It is fine as long as you disclose in the listings that there will be other guests on the property.