Should I stay within my Budget or pay more for potential earnings?

Many successful active investors transition to passive investing as a way to diversify into new asset classes or markets and to earn back some of their time and still benefit from the positives of real estate investing.To answer your question - I would allocate a portion of the $200,000 to MF as I believe this is a good time to invest in an asset class that has recently struggled. 

Otherwise, you won't have the extra funds necessary to cover the rising costs of goods and services in the future.What causes rents (and prices) to increase?

With the election over and the New year approaching ,its a waiting game for that extra 1/2 or full point to come down.

., new renovation, outdoor space, free parking, in unit laundry, extra storage, utilities included in rent.   

It's really great for learning the fundamentals even if you aren't investing out-of-state, and of course extra relevant if you are. 

For an extra 800/m (this is a random number)It usually isnt worth it.The investors who have the best success do the following things:1.

Then you could house hack to make extra money for your next down payment. 

If you're 25 or 35 and that monthly rent check gives you an extra vacation a year for the rest of your life, that might be fun too.Good luck and congratulations for being in the path of progress I guess.

If you need to earn more figure out what to do.