It's reassuring to hear it's not a rare nightmare scenario I'm in. I

Understanding the intricacies of the area they’re building in is crucial, as it reflects their intentional selection process.

A good example is that the area I live in is Mishawaka, IN right next to South Bend.

Specifically, what research results told you these were two good cities to invest in?  I

What other places in the area do you think would be good to invest in? I

Interest only for 1 year than P&I kicks In.  I

The only time I'd say it's an okay idea is if either: The area you're investing in is expecting so much appreciation that you will easily profit off that (watch out for mortgage interest though...the appreciation needs to be higher than what you pay in that and expenses to make it profitable)You have some specific reason for wanting to do it- family ties, future home, major long-term hold, etc.Maybe I'm forgetting another one, but those two are all I have for now...

I am already have a good lender that has pre-approved me with a DSCR loan so all I need is to find the right market to invest in!I

Yes Pittsburgh is a good choice for Investors who either live here or are remote as the buy-in is a lot more conducive than other more saturated markets.

You may have to search a bit for the right contractor or engineer - sometimes I see one solution dominating in an area - "that is how we always do it"  Thanks for the input - yes, it sounds like the specific area this house is in is particularly bad for foundation issues.