Also, how do you balance cost-effectiveness with providing a high-end feel?

You'll have to feel out the organization, and that's best done by visiting.

Work with them to ensure they feel comfortable with you as the new property owner.

Maintenance and potential repairs will also require a long-term financial plan and setting aside a contingency fund for such expenses.The steady cash flow, appreciation over time, and tax benefits can make a meaningful difference to your wealth in the long term, especially with the principal paydown on the mortgage.However, if managing the property from a distance feels too burdensome, or if you’d prefer the certainty and flexibility that comes with having less debt (especially given the high mortgage rates), selling and using the $100,000 in equity to reduce your loan for your next home may be the smarter move.

If you get serious about buying the house, feel free to shoot me a DM and let me know the county… I can connect you with an OSE who could probably take a look at the records and tell you what is possible regarding septic expansion. 

They initiated the counter offer process on the property, but the counter net is more than we feel we should go on this one. 

Hi Stephan happy to connect I'll be in town soon so feel free to Dm me your phone number

Stick to your standard screening policies and don’t feel pressured to bend your criteria.

I’ve heard from many (non-experts) that I’d need to stay for at least 5-7 years to avoid taking a significant financial hit, but that feels like a waking nightmare given how much this issue affects me.Financially, renting it out isn’t an easy solution either.

Deposits will not be returned (full or partial) until all tenants move out.If Tenant A didn’t come to you to get part of the deposit back they may have gone to tenant B, but they most likely walked away from it and I feel it is between tenant A and B to sort it out.Personally I would return it to tenant B, the active tenant in the current active contract.