I'm planning to hit my financial freedom number through real estate by the end of 2019 and be semi retired.

It's only been a few months, but I'mstarting to get settled in and (semi) comfortable with the whole process.

You can certainly self manage from out of state, though it will be tough from Chicago since you will be responding to guests late into the night (we are 5 hours behind you right now) and guests contact us about issues until about 10pm on a semi regular basis.

And last bit of thought, if it's a semi gut rehab, have you priced out soundproofing?

First of all, I am interested in building a semi-passive income from real estate. 

Yeah, I'm thinking of an idea for semi-"house hacking" by building a garage apartment in the back.

Due to this semi-permanence, it would be much preferred to dump my rent money into equity in real property if at all possible, and get a few others to do the same for me.My thought right now is to purchase a house that is listed at $199,000 due to its location, style, etc., I could definitely see myself living in it through the remainder of school. 

I am semi retired bought 20+ attached houses last year in C+ neiborhoods in NJ Ave cost 70,000 and rent for 1000.

My ideal criteria is as followsRow home, semi/detached, or duplex.   

Currently looking in the Huntsville, AL area and based on my extensive forum reading have moved on to Birmingham, AL as well since there seem to be more opportunities for MFH investments.Current Opportunity:My parents have moved out of my childhood semi-attached SFH to downsize and are currently holding (2) mortgages.