We used to live in SoCal and are fond of the area but most coastal areas are not a good fit in terms of value, so perhaps some of the areas around Palm Springs (e.g.

Ann, Overland) similar to Florissant in terms of sales price/rental numbers.

One minor exception to the comment: not advisable to lose Section 8 funding which could result both an immediate lose of further rents and/or a squatting/eviction scenario.Next:1) In terms of the late rent payment(s) - consider a 3-Day Notice to "Cure or Quit". 2) If step 1) ineffective, consider the lease type - in many states if month-to-month the lessor has the right to submit "30-Day Notice to Vacate" without cause. 3) If step 2) is ineffective, an Unlawful Detainer (aka Eviction) could be pursued.

However, they pretty much even out in terms of total mortgage payment vs rent. 

I would think of it in terms of how long it would take to recover the taxes.

I'm thinking, hypothetically, being liquid about $100k and seeing where that can put me in terms of building up my rental portfolio and/or seeking flipping opportunities to grow my capital to get into bigger projects.

As you mentioned, you guys at REI Nation are a ways off where you were at the height of the market in terms of deal volume, and rather than deal with the growing pains of ramping up and ramping down as the market goes (I seriously applaud you guys for being able to do that), we decided it made more sense to offer our knowledge and experience to help others begin or scale their own personal micro-flipping business and real estate investing.

It doesn't seem that with current rates there is much that works in the DMV area in terms of having cash flow after moving out of the house hack.

As in, if I buy low in a complex and make renovations in line with other townhomes in the neighboring complex that are selling at a higher price like the example I used earlier, does that not matter because they’re in different complexes, and that has its own value in and of itself, even though they’re now the same in terms of style/updates, sqft, br/ba, etc?

She wants to give me her house and move into a senior citizen home@Dana N Johns: Just a couple of thoughtsTalk to a real estate knowledgeable, CPA, not to your standard CPA and not to unknown investors on some forum in the ether for a matter like this.Now, if your mother has lived in the property for two of the last five years, she is entitled to a tax break on capital gains if she sells or if the title changes hands (basically sells using creative finance).However, if you inherit the property, there is a tax advantage to you in terms of stepped up basis and capital gains and a tax advantage to her from incurring capital gains if she is outside of the “two of the last five years” window.As far as the Medicaid situation, that is best explained by a CPA or tax attorney or Enrolled agent.