I think demand will continue to grow as the area settles into its next life as more of a year round destination.  

Explore my personal favorites, Set For Life by Scott Trench or The Total Money Makeover by Dave Ramsey, for invaluable financial insights.3.

Great start to life. 

At this stage in my life, these equity plays are more impactful than holding onto a property for a couple hundred dollars of monthly cash flow.What’s your take?

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.

But I strongly urge anyone to always get Aldermanic support before proceeding because it makes life--and the entire project / process--a whole lot easier. :)IN SUM: Based on what you've shared, it sounds like you won't need to rezone if you just want to build a duplex.

Regret gets you no where in life.

To get started, continue learning through podcasts like the BiggerPockets Real Estate Podcast and books like "The Book on Rental Property Investing" and "Set for Life."

It's a much less comfortable home life, but it sets you up to make a great return with less risk. 

Don't make your life more complicated than it has to be.