Mortgage rates tend to fall as the supply of funds in the mortgage market increases, making homeownership more affordable.

With the prevalence of remote work policies, many people opted to leave affordable apartments living near work in and around metros to live an hour or two outside of their work location to get much more space for their money.

I started out with a house hack, and I would say that that was definitely safe for me when I was in college as I could afford the Mortgage even if my renter didn't pay.

It’s affordable and easy to set up, but not essential.

Real Estate Investment in Canada has, in recent years, been strained in terms of affordability, and other rules creating an additional barrier of entry; especially for foreign buyer.Although I am investor in Ontario and Quebec, I'm not a lawyer, nor an accountant, nor an immigration consultant, so make sure you consult with the appropriate expert for accurate information.

if you need assistance setting this up talk to some local professionals.to your point you, should certainly not take on a payment you can't afford - and only you know what that is.  

@Matt Smith - as @Christopher S. mentioned you cannot use an ADU unit in Chicago as an AirBNB as the city's intent with the program is to provide additional affordable housing. 

I’d recommend looking for a market that’s affordable and has good rental demand—local job growth or proximity to schools can be a sign of a solid investment.

I think the story across a lot of the upstate is similar, net exodus from 2000-2020, followed by a surprising increase in prices and population growth following the pandemic as people (and companies) searched for affordability. 

Either can work, propstream will be more affordable