I wanted to invest where I wanted to live and I am also from Elgin so am constantly headed further nw. 

Plus there is a lot to do here so it is hard to be bored living in NJ.

Quote from @Brendan Doherty': I’ve read in books of people getting past having to live in the property they own so they can rent all units year one of ownership(living on the property with an rv).

(IF you purchased and lived in property asap, then rented it out, then returned to it it sell it years later - better plan.

Having a long-term rental while living abroad is do-able.Flipping houses while abroad, in my opinion, more difficult, especially if its your first go around with real estate.I would recommend taking a flight and staying in the area for a week and inspect the neighborhoods and make connections.You can reach out to @Elenis Camargo who has a PM company in Jacksonville.Best of luck though.

I don't do this for a living and have no real world experience, but at 40% down, even with a 7% int rate, that seems like a high monthly payment.

I lived in CA for 20 years, and we had W2 employees in CO and NJ, where we do not own communities.Also, we take much pride in the work that we do to renovate the homes.

Hello all,I just closed on my primary residence with an FHA loan so I am not able to house hack since I am obligated to live in the residence for a year.

I lived there for 10 years.

Currently our favorite idea is a SFH we can convert to an up down duplex by sealing off a staircase with an ADU on the property for us to live in.