@Jeff Thompson you are arriving at the same conclusion as everyone else who is moving here and is thinking about combining investing and primary residence: it is a tough compromise to make, if you try to force it you end up with a not so great place to live that is also a not so great investment.While you can find an off market deal, that's a long shot.

Diane,You're a wise lady with your conclusion.

I have been watching all the webcasts and reading a lot of material, and came to the conclusion that I will start with a House Hacking deal for my first, and will be in the area of Columbus Ohio (OSU Campus...Go Bucks), Delaware Ohio, or anywhere in the central Ohio area that is developing!

@Alex Shaughnessy from my experience dealing with foreclosure's I've come to the conclusion that it's a case by case basis.

Originally posted by @Jay Hinrichs:@January Johnson  Equity stripping would be you buying that house for 19k.. when in fact it sold for 100k at auction that is equity stripping.That's the peace I have yet to understand on how people come to that conclusion, because all versions of the law that I have read, reflect the very basic Wikipedia description of it, being: "equity stripping scheme, an investor buys the property from a homeowner facing foreclosure and agrees to lease the home to the homeowner who may remain in the home as a tenant. 

Or, find a broker to pull last 6 months of raw land comps in your area, then analyze for similarity and come to a conclusion about the right price range.

Ultimately, my conclusion, it's only the magic of ownership that provides wealth in the property management game.

I just think the entry point is notably higher than Lafayette and everything I've read, whether it be general business or REI leads me to the conclusion that acting now is nearly always better than acting later.  

I've talked to a lot of lenders and came to the same conclusion.

Hey to All ...From my experience and result over the last few months and years looking for the right lenders have come to a conclusion here it is: There are two types of lenders the ones that provide funding on L-T-V meaning loan to values which don't include rehab cost due to the fact that the property as it stands must have appraisal high to purchase and will only lend on 65 to 60 percent of value.