I'm actually considering that Sub To community now.

I think this is a calculation a lot of homeowners are making right now--especially if they have a low interest mortgage, equity, and their house will cashflow as a rental.The choice is a personal one of course, but I think your future self will thank you if you pull out some equity from your existing home with a HELOC for the downpayment on the next house and a cushion renting your current home, use a property manager as you have other things to do, and buy the next house and do the same thing again.

And right now is working incredible hours and having to now commute to Santa Clara from Portland..

However, they may not be ready to sign right now.

My brother had access to the other $160K but ultimately purchased a 4-plex two months later using his own money instead.Currently, its written that if my brother doesn't use the funds then he gets 160k value from the estate extra, as I used my half already but then my dad suggested a 2% annual appreciation on that amount seems fair on the 160k for him, and now he believes it should match his home’s appreciation, which is roughly 5% per year.

These are the types of properties I'm now targeting.I'd imagine the biggest challenge you'll run into is finding multi unit properties.

Now, this is the house my family will live in for many years, so we are putting quality stuff in. 

For now I would not waste the money if you are not renting it out.

@Jay Hurst as of now, we're open to moving to a new place when we come back.

I've now spent over $1,500 between the inspection and appraisal.