GO TO REDFIN,  SEARCH YOUR FAVORITE ZIP CODELOOK UP WHATEVER PROPERTY TYPE YOU WANT AND GO TO "SOLD" PROPERTIES WITHIN THE PAST 3 MONTHS ONLY OR EARLIER GO DOWN THE PAGE AND CLICK "DOWNLOAD ALL"IT WILL THEN PROMPT YOU TO OPEN AN EXCEL DOC- OPEN IT-FROM THERE FILTER THE PROPERTY PRICE LARGEST TO SMALLESTFIND THE AVERAGE PRICE BY HIGHLIGHTING THE ENTIRE "LIST PRICE" COLUMN OF THE SOLD PROPERTY SPREADSHEETAFTER CLICKING THE "AVERAGE" FUNCTION, YOU WILL BE GIVEN A DOLLAR AMOUNT- (BOLD THAT FIGURE) THEN GO TO THE SQUARE FEET COLUMN  AND DO THE SAME- FIND THE AVERAGE SQUARE FOOTAGE - THEN CLICK "AVERAGE" HIGHLIGHT THAT FIGURE TOODIVIDE THE AVERAGE DOLLAR AMOUNT OF ALL THE PROPERTIES SOLD WITHIN MAX 3 MONTHS FROM THE AVERAGE FIGURED SQUARE FOOTAGE TO GET YOUR MEDIAN PRICE PER SQUARE FOOTYOU WILL USE THIS FIGURE TO DETERMINE IF A PROPERTY WITHIN YOUR PREFERRED AREA CODE IS DEEPLY DISCOUNTEDTHEN, YOU WILL GO BACK TO REDFIN AND CHANGE THE SOLD TO ACTIVE AND DO ALL THE FILTERS PER YOUR PREFERENCE- "PUT IN KEYWORD AREA- "TLC" "CASH PURCHASE" , "NO FHA" AND "UNINSURED" AS WELL AS HAD A PRICE REDUCTION - EITHER MUTLTIPLE OR AT SOME POINT WHILE IT WAS LISTED HAS A REDUCTION (THIS USUALLY MEANS SELLER HAD HIS LISTING AGENT REDUCE PRICE BECAUSE HE WANTS TO SELL QUICKLY- ) SO IF A PROPERTY YOU FIND (AND THERE ARE A LOT) HAVE HAD 3 REDUCTIONS IN PRICE AND HAS BEEN LISTED FOR AWHILE...

@Alexander Gonzalez it’s an excellent point on knowing the regulations around zoning laws and rules that the city will allow with STRs.  

Househacking is an excellent option to get your foot in the door of investing, especially since you have a willing roommate that you get along with and that is fine paying half of your mortgage.

They just see the 13% and think--excellent--- lock it in.

.- I have excellent credit and over $100k in non retirement investment accounts intended for buying my first home.- No kids, just a significant other.- Zero debt.If you were me, what would be your next step?

Who do you think will excell in REI quicker?

Good to excellent credit scores are preferred for optimal vacation rental mortgage rates and minimizing down payments. 

My boyfriend is currently in a bit of a quagmire, and I’m hoping we can get some excellent advice here.He has found a property that he absolutely wants to purchase.

Luckily the mom of one of the buyers has excellent income, low debt, and great credit and signed on.  

It should be easy enough to track with excel and 4 manila folders.