Eliminate debt, establish a budget, and save.

This could involve offering a higher interest rate in exchange for reduced upfront costs or deferring payments until a certain milestone.If building right away isn’t feasible, consider buying the lot now with the goal of paying it off over time, and save up to build when rates and budgets align.

What is your budget?

Tell them you are looking in 3-5 towns, with a certain type of home with a certain type of budget.

Gucci handbags, have big screen tv's, they are NOT living on a budget at all.

Part of my issue was not having a reasonably priced handyman ahead of time and eventually overpaying to just get it done and also inexperience as a manager.With that said, you essentially have two options: very cheap properties in less good areas (you're looking at 100k or less--which you might have trouble getting a good lender for)  or trying to do some sort of house hack (e.g. live in flip, live in rent by the room, multifamily) where you budget will be closer to 200k-300k.Personally, I would not look at real estate until you are maxing out your 401k and IRA, but lots of folks have done significantly better with real estate than stocks and would think I'm crazy for suggesting this.

Related, you will want a contractor who is used to doing projects like this on schedule and on budget.

Very good   we sold 3 flips last month and working on 2 right nowWe bought a bunch to hold as well1 piece of advise - don’t buy on market I am buying w issues   I solve whatever issue and make a lot of equity or moneyStill hosting 2 nd weds of the month which was last week  and tonight I’m the guest speaker at the Reia You have my info  if I can bring you value let me know 

Can stay in the same budget and use the excess to invest or trade up.

If you find that there's nothing that you like or would be willing to live in with your budget and location, AND you had the flexibility of being able to move and keep your job or you're willing to job hunt in different states, THEN explore different areas.