Because where "I" want to live is becoming a determining factor in what properties I'm willing to invest in while if I just decide to rent, I can simply invest purely on the numbers.But the real question is do the benefits from being an owner tenant outweigh the expansion of my investment opportunities?

I'm looking at it purely by numbers- cutting an extra $8K off the top is tough- especially with a partner.

So I designed my own home idea using MS Paint, priced the material and estimated labor and find this is a good I dea if I can manage building a plumb and level wall.Recently the idea was to spend most of my money on land in Colorado and place a RV/trailer along with a few solar panels to charge the batteries, but this wouldn't really do anything unless I was willing to place a well and septic system.You can say I'm in a situation here, and I have no idea of how to handle it.

The analysis should be purely based on hard numbers right?

Now, if you're looking to be the person who is managing a rehab or being day-to-day hands-on, I don't think that is the case but as a pure cash/credit investor and/or landlord, I think you will find that remote investing can be quite rewarding.If you are looking for some resources to connect with in other states, try this board of course or other places on the web (I like Craig's List).

But anyone who thinks that appreciation is going to bail them out of a low or negative cashflow situation is gambling, pure and simple.

Of course you would have to weigh this vs. the benefits you were getting with the better rate and writeoff from your HELOC. (3) this is just purely a mental thing that some people may struggle with - overextending yourself on your own home.

On a pure cashflow basis, this looks great (without seeing the other expenses).

Was this pure speculation... you bet.

I am considering investing in 'lots' purely as investment with no thoughts of building on it.