If you’re planning to buy, will you wait for even lower rates or buy now and refi later? 

Less funds for downpayments, stretched DTI even if we offer easier access with lower entry points, and more inventory than any point since H2 '22 or pre-covid in almost every market.

Buying a random property in OH or AL or KS solely on the basis that it has a lower purchase price than a property in CA just isn't going to get you very far. 

In your case, with a history of passing audits and having a CPA who is experienced in IRS representation, you're in a strong position should an audit occur.Regarding audit statistics, the IRS generally audits fewer than 0.5% of individual returns, with even lower rates for those earning under $1 million annually.

As for use as "finished space", a basement can add SOME value but typically the head height may be lower, it doesn't have large windows etc.

This is a sign that buyer demand for Austin area housing, though lower than previous years, is still very healthy.Here are the full stats for Austin and the greater metro:Here’s a chart showing the monthly median sales price of a single-family home in the City of Austin in 2024:The median sales price for a single-family home in September 2024 was up roughly 11% from the beginning of the year.

Whereas in the past lenders did not attempt to enforce the “due on sale” clause, this was in an era when interest rates were heading lower and transfers of ownership were not easy to identify.  

The advantage to long term renters is the consistent cash flow, lower start-up cost.

I don't know about cheaper insurance (yet), but at the event I went to, they said that insurance companies were advised/required to NOT price them higher just because they were concrete homes as opposed to regular construction.I do think it's feasible that eventually they'd have lower premiums as they prove to be more durable/less risky.

In general, many people start with SFH's because they have a lower barrier to entry being that there are more of them and they are generally cheaper than multifamily.