Just moved to the area, and want to invest in real estate for future financial growth and stability. distrust of current paper markets. columbus is on a growth trend. like a dark horse. tech-driven city in the rust belt.

No, all that handwritten vs typed is completely horse crap.

There seems to be a bright future in front of our city and it's a good horse to ride, but you really want to work with a skilled operator in the market and know your WHY! 

IF you are not willing or cannot do this, go to the track and bet your money on any horse. 2. call everyone you need to involve in a full circle deal and calculate what the costs are. get at least 3 quotes. 3. input those costs along with your spreadsheet model and your mortgage model. 4. make a decision based on "risk free rate of return" or what you can get with an alternative (reit, funds, mutual funds, gov. bonds, etc) add in your time billed at what ever you get paid (before tax)  add that time estimate to the cost. 5. recognize that you cannot go bankrupt buying a REIT stock but you can go belly up if you real estate purchase gets out of hand. 6.

Others have given you solid info on FHA, limits, ect and the best bet is to get it from the horses mouth and call a banker Focus on navigating the first deal successfully and build from there.

If you happen to be next to a horse farm that needs premium hay, then you have something.

I know the horse won't drink the water, but it had the chance to. 

William, my 2 cents is this.dont put the cart before the horse, but do your best to be reasonable about what you expect the near future to hold. from the limited info i know have gathered from you.you are starting out and need some more cash to fuel some deals. you are conservative in your expectations and realistice. you paid cash for your 1st house so you know how to save.i dont know your age, but that has to play a factor.rates are very low and taking advantage of the cheap money would be huge. what i think i would do, is cash out leaving something like 30% equity and make sure you are very comfortable with what the payment on your primary will be.

The parimutuel horse track and casino, Hoosier Downs owned and operated by Churchill Downs, is a significant attraction to local patrons given the local mall is basically non-existent.

Lake county because of the lake and Napa Sonoma because of proximity to SF.The original resorts were all mineral bath type resorts .. and thoroughbred ranchs and in fact even though not in Lake Co Seabiscut lived and died right up the way in Willits.