Definitely high cost of living, where the median home price is nearing $950k.The first year of house hacking the property I cut my mortgage in half.

I know a few more people who's purchasing with him, from what I hear, every single closing was delayed due to supply shortages or other reason. 

My PM asks for ID as step #1 for these reasons. 

Consider house hacking when rates and prices are a little more balanced with reality.

We thought about doing seller financing for the $172K but it will likely take 10+ years to pay the full amount at any sort of reasonable monthly payment.

@Tanner King learn how to work backwards on analyzing a deal, so you figure out the purchase price to offer to make your numbers work.Too many newbies think they have to offer asking price, which is not the case.

What makes me nervous is his hasn't sold yet for the $495,900 price.

I would be much more specific on pricing.

I also probably wasn't as educated as I should have made myself, so I'm sure there were decisions that could have been handled better.Part of the reason I wasn't willing to deal with the hassles was because I had 3 young kids. 

I could raise prices and make operational changes whenever I wanted.