I am on commission only compensation, so I moved back in with my parents, and am trading all of my time (60-70 hour work weeks) for little/no money. 

Stessa is getting ready to move from $20 per month to $35 per month unless you pay annually.

So my plan is to house hack for few months and then move out so that it can generate some cash flow..

At the same time, you would like to maximize your investment until you move in F/T.

Agree on the advice their are sharks out there that are very good praying on people with various scams each month a new one pops up so avoid the housing market right now .In the mean time invest in a index fund that follows a benchmark like a S&P 500 each month/week put more money in when you are at a age that father wisdom has visited make small moves into the housing market .

I forged ahead, moved into the house and used credit cards to partially improve the property before they maxed out. 

PIf it didn't smell when the tenant moved in, and if the trap hasn't dried out from non-use (or even if it has), then the tenant probably caused the smell. 

I recommend you decide, take action, and move on. 

I know what my ideal life looks like in ten years, unfortunately, I don’t feel like I can have my ideal life now because I am having to stay in the state that I am in until we can move without risk of my husband losing custody of his child, which will be in about 10 years so believe it or not I do spend a lot of time thinking about what I want the future to be like.

I personally recommend checking Columbus OH - lots of job growth, population growth, and major companies moving and developing here.