House hacking is an incredible way to live affordably while building wealth through real estate.

If you move to NYC, focus on maximizing your earning potential while investing in affordable out-of-state markets with strong rental demand, like San Antonio or Indianapolis.

These areas are experiencing significant development and population growth, driven by families and professionals seeking more affordable housing while staying close to the job hubs in Plano, Frisco, and even parts of North Dallas.

As I said, you don't HAVE to pay for any tools if you can't afford it, but it will take a lot longer and be more difficult to start making money.

Maybe that allows you to afford more rentals in the future too. 

But Mathew's comments above have given me pause, as most of my friends in the neighborhood that could afford the rent of a new condo have a car (or two).   

house hack in some sort of fashion.Either buy a duplex or large single family that you can rent out a room/side of the houseOr buy a fixer upper in the best neighborhood you can afford. 

ONLY purchase training if its with funds you can afford to lose because of the failure rate.making connections is important and where success can come from.

Most Medicaid communities aren't nearly as nice as private-pay communities so if a senior can afford private-pay, they will almost always want to go that way instead of trying to qualify for Medicaid.Secondly, how does escrow benefit you? 

It's much more affordable (you can get the $100 annual version instead of $300 per month like Appfolio).