On the other extreme, for a (median) $382,650 purchase, rented at $1,400 /month rent, a mortgage at 0% down, 5% interest fixed for 30 years, the interest payment alone starts at $1,594 / month.

Albany GA is extremely poor and population has shrank in last 20 years.

Please make sure no matter which market you pick, you have a solid team on the ground picked out, and a good understanding of the market you choose before pulling the trigger.  

I’m gonna be totally honest with you, it’s extremely hard if not impossible to replace a full time 40 hour a week with rental income at least in the shorter, it’s the type of thing that helps you retire a little early and have a buffer in retirement, my grandmother has been in poor heath for years, those properties have allowed us to give her the best care possible, if you don’t already own a home and feel comfortable with your budget and the ability to live in that house for  at least a few years, I’d get started on that don’t even need to over complicate it, find a budget, find a house you like and can see yourself in at least for the medium term buy it. 

I live in WV and the housing costs here are extremely cheap relative to the rest of the country.

Moving out sooner will trigger questions but most lenders require an explanation (i.e. needing more space) and they move on.A couple of thoughts that come to mind:1.

On the other side, economics have proven that rents go up significantly and vacancies are extremely low due to rent control.

Mark, to make things extremely easy for you.

So tech people is replacing older homeowner that want to cash out and they move to sacramento/denver  for example ; and trigger the same migration loop.

Seeing as every CPA I tried to contact is busy with tax season, if anyone could answer even one question that would be extremely helpful. 1.