@Luka Milicevic Got it, I should way my options and just go with whichever one deams more appealing/benefiting to my needs .

Lenders will only lend based on a percentage of cost or value whichever is lower.

As far as your bang for your buck question, my answer would be whichever target is the best deal. 

Good luck whichever way you decide to go.

If i were you I would buy a 2 family with a finished basement in Queens, Brooklyn or the Bronx whichever you prefer.

We offered $41k or balance on mortgage, whichever was less and we offered to cover all closing costs.

Then you offer them a solution or 2 to choose from and if the seller agrees that 1 of your offers solve his/her problem you have a lawyer or title company (whichever you use in your area) write up the contract and get close.

Both the San Antonio and Austin markets are hot currently so perhaps if your situation allows for it when you move maybe you could rent something for 6 months in whichever place you decide upon and allow yourself to become more familiar with the neighborhoods to decide where you might like to live and find a good one that’s up and coming and less expensive.

A great place to start is https://www.biggerpockets.com/meet which you can use to find like-minded in whichever area you may be interested in.You'll find some helpful tips at https://www.biggerpockets.com/starthere.For tips on how to get the most out of BiggerPockets, check out: https://www.biggerpockets.com/rei/biggerpockets-com-tutorial/The BiggerPockets Keyword Alert System is an awesome tool: https://www.biggerpockets.com/renewsblog/2012/12/1...See you on future threads!

You can call it whichever you like.