Is there a more accurate way of assessing this? 

Stability: Homeowners tend to stay in their homes longer than renters, which can create a more stable environment for families and children.

(Wisconsin, Indiana, Ohio, Michigian).Pick a more rural town/city, they are typically very safe.

I would focus on improving your credit and obtaining a more stable income so that conventional financing is an option. 

I don't ever stiff the housekeeper and if this was a long term tenant who needed to break early I would do it but probably not in this case, again unless regs require or mom presents a more compelling case. 

If one of the greatest investors of all time believes stocks are overvalued, this may be an opportune time to shed some risk and move into a more tangible asset like real estate.The Rochester housing market is a great place to consider for investment.

.- Prices for insurance policies will never go back down, but it is not unreasonable to expect costs to rise at a more predictable pace from here.

Some areas near Austin or Dallas could be perfect if you want a more suburban vibe with plenty of amenities for your kids.Starting a Cleaning or Landscaping BusinessBoth states offer strong opportunities here.

@Elvon Bowman, again, I am not trying to talk anyone out of pursuing their dream, but I do agree that approaching smaller-ish deals is a more likely track for success.  

Private lenders or even creating a small syndicate with a group of investors might also be worth exploring, especially since you can point to your uncle’s track record and your own experience managing rentals as a selling point.If timing is tight, you could look into a bridge loan to secure the property while figuring out a more permanent solution.