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.

(For context, it's a 2700 sf 4 bd 3 bath house in an upscale Northern California suburb.)Kitchen A: Traditional, features a 48 in fridge, 36 in cooktop, window sink (no view), pantry.Kitchen B: Designer, features a 60 in fridge, 48 in range, large kitchen window (no view), sink facing living/dining room; unfortunately no pantryKitchen C: A Little Bit of Both, features a 48 in fridge, 48 in range, sink facing living/dining room, pantry, unfortunately there's no window.Total countertop space is roughly the same (22 ft)  in all three layouts.

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

I own a country home in Bedford that I rent out but I live out of state.

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.

Also looking forward to meeting any local wholesalers or people living out the house hacking dream.Thank you to @Scott Trench for leaving a great how-to on introductions!

This year I received a bill from the PM with the following line items and costs: - Bathroom 1 : Shower/Tub Caulking | Re-caulk tub- Bathroom 1 : Toilet bolt caps | Missing bolt cap- Bathroom 1 : Window Covering | Missing miniblinds- Bedroom 1: closest to the front door : Door/Knob/Lock | Door know needs tightenedNeeds deadbolt installed- Bedroom 1: closest to the front door : Window Covering | Broken miniblinds needs repaced- Kitchen 1 : Wall/Ceiling | Pull nails and spackle- Living Room 1 : Wall/Ceiling | Nail and holes in paneling- Living Room 1 : Window Covering | Miniblinds need repairedLine ItemsDescription AmountMacomb Glass Invoice $40.99Sherwin Williams Invoice $40.60Walmart Invoice $62.37Total $2,271.271 of 2Ace Hardware Invoice $82.93Ace Hardware Invoice $28.33Ace Hardware Invoice $42.50Macomb Glass Invoice $188.58Walmart Invoice $135.30Ace Hardware Invoice $65.19Ace Hardware Invoice $9.78Shop Supplies $3.00Labour hours 24.18 @$65 rate $1,571.70Total $2,271.27This is a very small, one bedroom apartment in a fourplex. 

Constructed in 1910, this property features a total of 2,793 square feet of living space.

It’s a 3-bedroom, 2-bathroom unit that I’ve been living in for the past two years.