I'm currently placing a big emphasis here as I look to grow.As far as evaluating deals once you find one you're interested in, I think you get better and quicker the more you analyze.

I have about $425k that I'm willing to put in. I

After further diving in, I think a house hack makes the most sense for my scenario.

This is definitely a good place to start and to network with people in the market you are looking to invest in.  I

IT is a hard question, do i buy in my real expensive market, or do i rent here and invest in a better market (and by "better" i mean better for traditional investing)I would say this: The traditional idea that I am "missing out" if I don't own a primary residence in my chosen market to live in, is not necessarily a true notion.I know a guy, a friend of mine who actually told me about BP back in the day.

Appreciate you both (@Patrick Roberts and @Chris Seveney ) chiming in. I

If you're going to start in a market you're eventually going to live in, I think that's a stronger case for that market."

The marketing functions is where the very host cost comes in. I

., I look at worst case of what would it cost to roll-back all changes and add that in. I

Some operator takes some pity on me and says I can do some of this expedited and in person but only at Lake Zurich, Mount Prospect or Springfield walk in.  I