Also, if anything ever happens, like say a fire starts in the basement duplex and travels up the stairwell you illegally built killing everyone inside, then you are not only talking financial liability but criminal liability as well.

Bets are on her wanting to go travel around for a while.It's a 3/1 on about an acre of land, mixed zoning in Lakewood, CO just west of Denver.

Another word of caution, good contractors are really hard to find and your NYC contractor probably won't want to travel to NJ.  

As a remote investor, you wouldn't be able to travel to those places, but are still interested in those other markets either because you've lived there before or have close contacts on the ground. 

I'm 4 years out of college and have been a traveling consultant for the last 2 years, living in places like Italy and singapore.

I love to travel and meet new people.

It can be HR but is often the Travel department of larger firms.

The issue is the girlfriend and I will be quitting our jobs come January and traveling abroad for 4-5 months in SE asia/ NZ, to teach CPR and basic medical training (Volunteering). 

Looks like a good deal for you and I like your plan to reposition conservatively.Just make sure that your estimated expenses are taking into account traveling to the property a few times per year, at least until you get everything situated.  

Sorry fellas been traveling for work but still interested in setting up something in Buda for that area and possibly even up Manchaca near South Park Meadows.