It isn’t all 🌽 and beans here, but there’s a thriving millennial market, aided by the population/demand of Drake University, Iowa State University, DMACC, Grand View, and Central College students, insurance market (one of the largest in nation, as seen in population of actuaries here, and Drake churns our pharmacists like no other due to their 6 year program), and the building of Facebook, Apple and Microsoft server centers around here due to nice tax breaks.

Being a current college student in the middle of my career, I was mainly looking for any tips/tricks to get started while still in school.

My background - I was born and raised in the west suburbs of Chicago, before heading a few hours south to Champaign for college. 

I recently graduated college and moved to the Jacksonville area to start a full time job. 

I have been consuming all the great info from biggerpockets for 18months now but this is my very first post and I am excited to get insights, suggestions and particularly legal advice for my situation.I recently got laid off from a company that I had been with for 6.5yrs (since right out of college) and then within a month, they offered me another role which is outside US so I am very excited about the change and new experience.

It has been difficult for her to support us and pay for most of our daughter's college at a famous college without going into any long term debt. 

In 1980 I graduated college with honors with a business degree that emphasized real estate.The first thing I would say about your questions is to not depend on any book on construction costs. 

Of course, I worry about college costs in 3 years when my girls finish high school.

If you are looking for a property next to a college and target students, the rents are usually higher in the summer when everyone is looking. 

I'd rather turn it into a nice patio area/study area (since it's in a college town).