I would recommend to buy in your local market for your first property... but I also realize every market is different and might not be affordable or the best solution. 

However, we plan to keep our jobs until we’ve reached a sustainable point with our investments.Right now, wholesaling hasn’t been working out for me, and while I’m not giving up on it, I’ve realized I need to focus on one thing at a time.

Also, you realize you can get a plumbing engineer to supplement the architectural drawings with separate plumbing drawings stamped by a PE?

Most people do not realize when someone liens a property its just a lien, but to collect on it they must file a lawsuit to collect that money which will cost them 5x more than what its worth. 

It is hard for many of us to chew on and its also to realize people have different opinions.

The example that comes to mind are often are of folks that operated a dental practice, an accounting office, a bankruptcy lawyer and her staff that did quite well in the 2008 aftermath, and so on, during those first few years, taking up a portion of or all of the space.Once you realize what a dumpster fire it is finding good financing for offices, if you need it, I'll be available. 

First property comes over and I realize there is a second tab- one has the design fee, one doesn't.

Could that bite our REP in year 5 when a big pile of ordinary earnings income is realized (if they don’t 1031 and defer it)?

I realized we would not get the same valuation as the main home but at $130k for 440sq ft I did not realize we could be in a negative equity position.  

Seeing it on paper like this makes me realize it doesn't hit the 1% rule either, but maybe because the taxes are pretty low?