But, it is just those imperfect markets and deals that may have hidden value that others' have difficulty recognizing.

@Dan Mahoney I recognized at the top of this thread that water bills are liens like real property, regardless of whether a lien is recorded.

Recognize the smaller town's employment economy, demographic trends, and driving forces.Determine the area's demand for rental homes.

Being this will be your first investment property and you're across the country I'd recommend trying to find a partner with a proven track record of investing in that area.

You just don't have enough experience to find/recognize them:(You can search most MLS's for key words like, "handyman special", "needs work", etc.

You're saying that practical applicability only shows (has proven) that will only be profitable after a decade? 

Buying existing LTR or STR with proven income that may just need an update or a value add (add more units, add more bathrooms, beds rooms, etc.) and your next one you can try a riskier property that has less proven income.

etc.Tax advantaged accounts include: 401-k and Roth IRA contributions, no HSA.Looking for a professional with proven success, references to others perhaps bigger pockets members who have successful househack strategies.Thanks!

On the other side, economics have proven that rents go up significantly and vacancies are extremely low due to rent control.

This model not only perpetuates skepticism but also obscures the true essence of networking and learning in real estate—genuine connections, application of skills, and market knowledge.Our initiative is born from recognizing this very gap—where real success in real estate is not about how much one can spend on courses or networking platforms but about the value of genuine, meaningful connections and the application of one's skills and market knowledge.