Consider using an FHA loan to secure a 1–4 unit property with just 3.5% down and take advantage of tax benefits by living there for at least two years.

He's lived in Japan a few years as well (Fukuoka, I believe).

I needed to buy my first investment and also needed a place to live.

With that being said, do yourself a favor and do the research yourself on zoning, valuation and ACTUAL rent before talking to STR specialists who make a living on selling these =) Just my 2 cents...

I wouldn't start investing in the US if you have no plans on coming back from living in China.

Plus there is a lot to do here so it is hard to be bored living in NJ.

Living in one unit and renting out the others allows you to deduct 75% of expenses like mortgage interest, property taxes, insurance, and shared repairs as rental expenses, while the remaining 25% applies to personal use.

Quote from @Rou Odab: Hello everyone,We bought this house, and we're living in it and renovating it.

If you're a single mom with student loans, a car payment, and living paycheck-to-paycheck, then $20,000 would be devastating and a reserve is critical.

Would your parents be interested in partnering on a duplex where you live in one side with a roommate and manage the other side rental?