Best tip is to add digital locks to each bedroom door and make sure there is enough kitchen space for all parties.

I always research the local market, compare properties, estimate expenses, and build a reserve fund.

Personally, I’ve been looking for ways to align creativity with the numbers, whether that’s finding undervalued properties, building relationships with local agents, or pivoting to new strategies.

Detroit is very much a block-by-block city, so having local knowledge is absolutely critical.

Staying local and house hacking—especially now, before kids—gives you so much flexibility to set yourselves up for long-term success.Your financial foundation is super strong, and house hacking a quad sounds like an amazing first step for you two.

In Pittsburgh, where I live and operate, this would be a two to three-month process in front of almost all out local district magistrates.

In my opinion, the best "first step" is to find a local REIA to attend. 

My CPA also has an investment we got in with double digits returns that we rolled our IRAs into but you could probably put cash into if you would want to live off of it before retirement age.I would never recommend someone stay in a job they hated just for the money.

Look for a local credit union that can offer a cash-out refinance once the work is done, ideally with minimal seasoning.

Just focus on learning the local market, financing, and property management.