Do you plan to get a job in NYC and network with your co-workers?

Some homes are 2 x 4 construction, like you'd see in Colorado or California. 

I have 0 experience ground up construction loan program nationwide that does NOT require GC to sign anything, only provide proof of 3 C/O's (certificate of occupancy) over the last year I.e. built received occupancy permission now unit is on market or habitable. 700+ FICO I can get you 80%LTC loan to cost on the project on ground up construction for 1-4 units.

Putting it all together: If I were starting over and looking for a house-hack in Denver, CO today, I'd be looking for a 4 bed / 3 bath property in the $500K - $600K range in an up and coming area (like Aurora near the medical campus).

I specialize in creative rental investments such as STR & co-living. 

In the Bigger Pockets free book, "Real Estate Rewind", as one of the 11 co-authors I wrote about one such Tax Sale purchase and made money but not enough money to warrant the risk involved.

a calculator LOL, and we use a service co , 

I can see the OP giving this a shot.. but it is risky he could end up making a few bucks and getting experience might just break even or he could take a loss.. that margin is very thin in markets that are not selling as soon as you get CO  thats been one reason we have been profitable very few homes have been carried past CO so financing cost are at a minimum.. you hold a spec home 6 months past Co and every month your losing money you will not recover.

My dad is a co tractor and has a guy for pretty much every modality in construction.

Start as a co-host and work under a vacation rental management company in the area to learn the ropes.