I know finding a 2-4 unit multifamily property in NY is very challenging for under $2m, but am more interested in the advice the community could provide me in terms of 'house hacking with FHA & 203k Loans in expensive markets for new investors' and any guidance or markers I should use to pace myself, and work toward this goal within the next 2 years. 

Go to Youtube or Facebook, and look up Pace Morby.

Part of me does want to move back to Boston eventually where things are high end and fast paced.. would be awesome to do some condo conversations, etc.

The only thing holding back the double digit yearly appreciation would be wage growth which might not keep pace with the prices.

NW FTW is booming as is most of the area as you know and cashflow even with rehab is going to be tough due to the rent rates rising at a slower pace with the cost of material/labor etc.

That's exactly the pace of things around here right now! 

Scale up at slower pace but with higher quality assets that you want to own for a long time,  with tenants who treat the place they call home with pride. 

As I track the local market analysts' assessments and predictions, it appears we have more runway for economic growth for the foreseeable future.Here's an excerpt from the Nov. 3 summary from The Cromford Report, one of our most sophisticated market watchers: "Is there any sign of the upward surge in pricing losing pace.

I’m seeing yields being compressed at breakneck speed over the last 6 months, especially this month.

JVs are a great way to move the needle forward at a much more rapid pace than you can do on your own.