My wife and I ultimately want to purchase our first rental property in the Allentown/Bethlehem/Easton, Harrisburg, or Pittsburgh area since those would be close to home.

I learned firsthand the meaning of sweat equity, even though I would ultimately realize very little equity.

Ultimately, the decision to purchase now or wait depends on your financial goals, risk tolerance, and the specific opportunities you’re considering and every situation is unique, so what works for one person may not be the best for another.

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The CONSUMER will ultimately decide what he wants - NOT what the professional bureaucrats THINK they should have.  

BUT with all that to say, it ultimately comes down to what you are most interested in and what fits what you are willing/not willing to deal with.

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Hey Flavio,ultimately I did not purchase the program. 

He agrees to this gladly as he would be managing the property and ultimately our goal would be in about 5-7 or so years to refi me out (or whenever it makes sense).

Ultimately you will not need to do them, but you should at least know how to handle them.If for no other reason, so that the people you hire to do those things for you don't take advantage of you.