Most old houses it is about 4 ft at the perimeter of the room, maybe less. 

It's running a business NOT renting a house.  

I bought my first house 2 years ago for 255k 20% down at 6.375% APR.

Can you buy a house and be within reason of what your current rent? 

Purchase price: $120,000 Cash invested: $150,000 Dilapidated house.

I always am amazed when someone selling a $600,000 house brings me a listing agreement where they agreed to pay a stranger $30,000 to list their house for sale and they didn't even read the agreement much less spend the $250 to have a lawyer tell them that yes, if they sell it to their cousin during the listing period they still have to pay the $30k.

I know a friend who is an attorney, although they don’t specialize in housing law.

You could go the house hacking route with buying MFU, etc.It MIGHT be interesting if you are a traveling nurse to turn your house hack into a short term or mid term rental while you are gone.

I tell people that if they don't have a net worth to buy their dream house in cash then they aren't ready to buy their dream house. 3.

I love the Myrtle Beach area.Condos are a dime a dozen so there is stiff competition which pushes prices down.HOAs have their own problems which I always avoid.I would try and buy a beachfront house or 1st row house