For those of you that have good w2 income and want to take advantage of employer matching (100% return!)

I've often found that the biggest competitive advantage you have when you are getting started is proximity! 

They are taking advantage of what was affordable housing and making it less affordable while providing the least amount of services all just to provide the best return to investors.  

It is important to remember that a solid agent is not just opening doors for you, their biggest value would be in the negotiations and right now, buyers have a real advantage if one knows how to go about it.

So, as stated above there would be no reason or advantage to refinance.

Renting out one side can help offset your mortgage, which is a huge advantage while you're building financial stability.

"There is an obvious advantage to buying on your own vs buying straight from a turnkey if the properties are overvalued."

This is a great place to learn and to connect with people so take advantage of all the great resources.

 @Puneet Mahi as others have stated, I would do a deep dive on the markets inside each state to determine where you could have an advantage AND where your family would like to live.

One of the best advantages about REI is tax shielding, thus you can defer taxes to double net annual income if you do so through passive income.