I don't believe that will change as long as the school system and public safety levels remain some of the worst in the state.

We would do a safety check and enter the property.

Since this is a long-term investment, it’s still important to prioritize areas with strong population growth and a healthy job market—both are great indicators of long-term potential.

Within minutes of uploading entire disclosure packet, it automatically detects various type of documents (home inspection, TDS, solar, roof, pest etc.) and creates an insightful report of safety risks, costly repairs.

An FHA loan with 3.5% down could make house hacking feasible, especially if you find a property where rental income offsets much of the mortgage.For now, prioritize house hacking close to work to keep things simple.

When you see what people do with old space heaters, guards and safety removed, plugging in several in one overloaded extension cors,... you can see where the concern is coming from.

.- Build a Strong Buyers List EarlyA solid buyers list is your safety net.

There are a lot of different ways to deploy that $300K (or keep a larger chunk in cash for safety). 

Instead, prioritize strategies that stretch your resources as far as possible while building experience and momentum.

For LTRs, prioritize markets with population growth and strong job markets.Wherever you choose, work with an investor-friendly agent who knows the local market and can help you analyze deals.