If the debt is a low interest mortgage then I would have to assess the property and its location/equity/cash flow and other opportunity costs.My philosophy is to avoid any debt unless I'm financing an asset such as real estate, especially if it is high interest rate.

Also, you can't apply one mindset or cookie cutter philosophy to every situation because it's not a one size fits all.

It is great reminder of how investment philosophy can be different based on where you and the market are at over time.

I agree with you 100% and I practice the same philosophy.

@Michelle PaulsenI keep my investment philosophy simple, but feel free to align with your financial advisor for final opinion.I would max out all tax deferred options first like 401k, Roth IRA, etc.

Also would you mind explaining a bit more about your philosophy?

My personal philosophy is to evaluate the market and tenants and decide what I think they could / would pay without creating a vacancy.

What's pushing this further is pandemic shutdowns in other states, Florida's open for business philosophy, and the new capacity for remote work. 

Philosophy aside, here is my financial plan for you:Buy this place in Raleigh, NC (I don't know where you will actually be employed, so I started with the town in your profile):https://www.realtor.com/reales...If you can get it for 270k, you'll own a duplex that'll cost you about ~2300/month to own, assuming we look at the house hack like the long term rental it actually is :)  I'll post my numbers below.

Those are widely different investments requiring a different set of management skills, operational philosophy, and risk assessment.