The VA and Fha loans have been able to do it but their strict appraisal guidelines make it tough to buy the often older homes in my market in Virginia Beach / Norfolk Area. 

Here's why:Deep Discount Buying OpportunitiesAfter a period of aggressive rate hikes, many real estate assets are trading 20-30% below peak prices seen in 2021-2022.

BiggerPockets also has a calculator to analyze deals, and I highly recommend you start this as soon as possible, even if you are not ready to buy.

Sorry, I'm not buying this story.From make-ready's.

I would not buy something right now just to buy something.

This would likely take coordination with a tenant at some point - (ie - plenty of notice to them that they must vacate in order for you to sell the property)Since your current home is free and clear -  you could do a cash out refi or take out a new mortgage on the new house to be able to buy your paren't house and pay off the mortgage.  

It's either that, or try to buy 33 sq feet of land from one of my neihbors. haha...

Are you looking to buy a duplex for your house hack?

I wonder if this would eventually make CNBC's American Greed? 

I think having a balanced budget would be ideal where you allocate money into buying another property and money set aside for renovations.