@Caryn FischerI agree with Jaron, you should definitely have a consultation with your tax accountant and/or financial planner before you do anything. 

Quote from @Jonathan Greene: Quote from @JD Martin: Quote from @Jonathan Greene: And let me just say that the true power of these forums is the people.

Generally, homes closer to the water are more expensive.  

That's easy compared to trying to fight and erroneous $13k water bill (a real issue we had) or an insurance policy tripling (that too).

High-end properties might require a white-glove approach with customized services, while more modest properties may prioritize affordability and efficient communication.

you may have to save up until you have enough money to do so - down payment, closing costs, reserves, etc.House Hacking: What Is It, How to Start, and Strategies for Successit's a more powerful way to get started. 

I used to live in the city and the taxes and water bills are nightmares.

we ran into this in FLA  a few years back when I had 4 starts and I exited that market.. permits  sub base all pretty tough for someone who is not there and already knows the systems hands down and has a devoted loyal sub base.. thats the key in my mind.

I also see your point about avoiding bargain basement properties, especially insofar as tax shielding is easier with an asset of a reasonable size.Your point about barriers to entry is also interesting, since I suppose those barriers can be geography (natural boundaries of mountains/water), but you're probably referring to that which impedes future construction?

also look into AI powered softwares for narrowing down your search criteria.