FHA loans require living in the home as your primary residence for 1 year after purchase.

I'm sure judge would be entirely sympathetic to this in the area in which he lives.

For example, in higher-end or luxury markets, where the price point is much higher, full-service staging can be a game-changer.

If you’re confident in your ability to find undervalued properties, using the equity in your homes can provide the leverage you need.

Then connect with some hard money lenders (you can find some here on BP as well as some who are typing this right now) and connect with them to understand their product type, what they like to lend on and requirements.Hard money broker is all numbers game of making relationships and helping those that are looking for financing, it starts out slow but if you get with a few good borrowers and lenders it can be pretty decent money to be made.As an example we paid six figures last year to HM brokers. 

Why in the world are so many people drawn to New York City?

What other ways can I invest in RE in the current market. 

Most duplex properties are not in HOAs and usually in a renters street; lawns don't necessarily look great.  

@Vidit Maini,I'm a structural engineer in the Atlanta area.

I do generally agree with the sentiment of Austin and the other hosts that fundamentals will always win out in the long run, and this by nature is a long term industry, even the sales side I'm learning.