It's a journey, so enjoy the ride with people you enjoy working and playing with.STRATEGIES Sustainability is the real question. 

Are they intentionally seeking out housing for them and their kids that all kids to ride bikes on the street and run around the neighborhood?

I have 4 properties in WA state, an hour ferry ride from Seattle. 2 are SFH and 2 are townhomes.

When faced with rising expenses, and let's be fair, skyrocketing expense growth, right, a business has 3 choices; (a) eat it and ride into bankruptcy. 

Hi Sina,Sounds like you are excited about the the crazy ride of real estate investing. 3 year to be passionate is great - but it's now time to take action.I'm in LA and invest in the midwest currently. 

For one it's 15-20 miles away from Disney - that's a little ride for sure. 

A very nice way to grow wealth is to buy amidst a mid-gentrifying neighborhood and "riding the wave" as things appreciate dramatically.

.- In general, I see politics playing a rapidly increasing role and impact as stimulus and assorted actions have exceptional high probability of occurring induced from political motives, riding backs of legitimate economic standings, but amplified in there deployment via political motives.  

Hey @Henry Lazerow - I would tend to agree that most of the NW side of Chicago 2-4 units don't play out perfectly well for BRRRR deals.I always looked at any potential house hack vs. having to rent - if my overall payments were less than the rent I generally considered that a win.For me...the house hack is just the ticket into the amusement park and then the fun rides come after...getting started can be overwhelming and hard so I can see why people might take a discount.I think one of the keys to strong equity creation is square footage creation which is basically what you outlined with duplexing up or down.

Your area is the tough part, but if he has the experience and you have minimal risk, it' great to just ride along and learn.