I've lived here my whole life and have really seen a dramatic change in this amazing city. 

It would take you a life time of cash flow in Ohio to get that return.I would strongly advise you against paying cash for a $100k property.

Where do you want to be in life in 3-5 years?

When it comes to a lifestyle property, it's another ball game and all the comments you wrote make total sense, especially for people who like similar things in life.

With a 3-5% down FHA loan, I snagged a cozy home in a hot spot, worked from home to play handyman, and created a hedge against the "what-ifs" of life.

For family life, there are great communities with good schools and a lot of kid-friendly activities.

At this stage in my life, equity growth is more important than monthly cash flow.

I've done it twice in Reno, NV and it's changed my life. 

If you buy real estate, you will spend hours and days and weeks and months of your life dealing with it… Home repairs, guests,… An investment really has to be pretty amazing to sacrifice all that time for itThe houses I own I bought many years ago at dirt cheap prices and dirt cheap mortgage rates.

What I was referring to was that I know two private lenders who have the borrower complete the Deed in Lieu documents at the Closing of the initial loan and then hold them in escrow during the life of the loan.