I'm not sure if these high tech salaries will continue, some of them get compensated via RSU (Restricted Stock Units) My suggestions were to house hack (if they're still renting) or within a 2 to 3 hour drive.

I am planning to buy and maintain my property myself...

I think there's a lot one can do on their own to maintain it, but it does require diligent effort.

But one argument in favor of refi is that you can get cash at a low interest rate to invest in stocks or other assets.

This will also afford you the opportunity to go over to the property and see how things are maintained overall with your renters.

No real strategy, just wasn't good at the stock market so I tried real estate.

Look at houses maintained by homeowners with this mindset and you'll see how much can be done to repair what you already have and how decent repairs can last a long time and be perfectly suitable especially for a rental and often at a small fraction of the replacement price.

While working, I shifted my focus and started doing BRRRR projects on the side while maintaining my 9-5 job.

I've never put a lot of stock in staging (never have and never will) or planting bushes out front.

Additionally, absorption reached a four-year high in the latter half of 2023 (93.3 MW), pushing vacancy rates down to a four-year low of just 2.5%.Market Share and Preleasing: Hillsboro’s data center stock now represents 5.1% of the total primary market inventory.