Like someone else mentioned, FHA loans are good in low credit and high DTI scenarios, but tend to be less bang for the buck compared against conventional.

It would be our second up down house hack, however, with interest rates in the high 6's, it would probably not cash flow after moving out.

we have two properties under agreement and both are $2M + and VA loans, which i was shocked they go that high, so yeah they are powerful.

Unfortunately, since you are in NYS, you only have 15 days to return the security deposit, and getting a contractor out there for a quote (much less, three), is not going to happen. 

Also, jumping into real estate straight out of high school is amazing! 

I get that having a paid off property is very comforting, but to me it's not the best move if you're trying to grow. 20% down and 3% annual appreciation means you're making a 15% return on your downpayment. 

In an accompanying video, I also pointed out that Utah had the highest population growth from new births (see the heatmap above, courtesy of Pew Research Center’s analysis of Census data).Metros along the Wasatch Front, such as Salt Lake City, UT; Provo, UT; and Ogden, UT continue to see strong job growth, low vacancy rates, and relatively high price appreciation.

Before committing, I’d highly recommend researching demand in your target area and connecting with operators who already run similar rentals there.A tiny home or glamping concept could be a huge hit in a market where it’s fresh and unique, but in areas where it’s been done before, you’ll need to bring something innovative to stand out.

Upgrades included modern interiors, smart home features, and premium amenities to attract high-end vacation renters"

You are investing for return on capital.