That's great you were able to save up 35k, which is a fantastic place to start and you can utilize a low down payment mortgage.Denver metro has a lot of great pockets that work for your goals with price and proximity to the mountains and the city such as Lakewood, Wheat Ridge, Arvada, west Denver (west of I-25), Westminster, Thornton and Northglenn.

I'm at Grand Ridge National Bank based out of the Chicago suburb of Wheaton. 

Currently, the safe areas are Arvada and Wheat ridge which both allows them on investment properties and have few regulations.

Give Danielle a call at Interlinc Mortgage in Garden Ridge.210-569-0401

Working with several of her agents now between Blue Ridge, Smokies, and the Destin area.

This is common in Blue Ridge, Georgia area and the florida panhandle as well.

I would love to share info about STR experience (I'm invested in Blue Ridge, GA, but could share data and helpful docs if needed!)

Hello again everyone! Finally under contract on a property in Chattanooga. Thanks to everyone who has replied to my posts on this forum in the past. Quick question for anyone with an answer. What do you see on average...

Helical piles, and leaving me convinced by their expertise and inclined to take action on their bid.I didn't ultimately sign off, as I had not budgeted for that much into foundation work, and have since been able to do most of the foundation slab crack demo & repair myself with some local sub-contractor help.The helical piles approach tho: drive a stake down until it hits bedrock and then neumatically "pump up" the foundation until its back to level...seems like the ultimate right approach & solution I need, before I proceed to a future phase of finishing the attic, bumping out shed dormers, and adding +1000sqft w/ +1bdrm, +1ba, & +1 wetbar/kitchennette for an STR unit.That project phase is a few mos out, and will require a structural engineer, as I'll be adding interior structure posts, a major new ridge beam, and 20' of floor-to-ceiling full-light windows & french doors facing the bay. 

Also, the metra runs through that area and heads to Park Ridge which I really like also.Plus, super close to O'hare airport.