If you're going to start in a market you're eventually going to live in, I think that's a stronger case for that market."

Buy and Hold investing is a great avenue to begin with as most people live their lives off of residual income. 

You said that you are applying for an FHA loan so it sounds as though you'd be living in one unit. 

If you are buying to live in, you could also do FHA with a cosigner.

A lot of the popular areas in Charleston proper that are not licensed under the old laws now require the owner to live on the premises to obtain an STR license.

Similarly, the sale ($575K) minus your adjusted basis determines your capital gain.You may qualify for the primary residence exclusion (up to $250K single/$500K married) if you lived there 2 of the last 5 years.

However, it's a deal in a different state and during the Facetime showing, I could tell the tenants were gross and makes me think they don't care about taking care of the place or their living conditions.

We literally walked the property on live video with you and showed you everything you asked to see.

As a CPA who lives and breathes real estate taxation, I've noticed something interesting that I want to share with the BiggerPockets community.

All the rest live in other states or countries.