Live in new home while it appreciates for 10 years until I get a faculty housing spot, sell private market house, put proceeds (minus downpayment) in bank for retirement (I estimate this will be 1.3 mil before capital gains and real estate fees based on 7% growth in a very desirable Southern California location), and take out new loan for lower cost faculty housing.

You are in the same spot a lot of current homeowners are in.

But first let's find the sweet spot!

Tons of helpful people and resources here, so you’re in the right spot.

No sewer line is perfect and most can be repaired or limped along with cleaning regularly or minor spot repair rather than requiring expensive work or replacing the whole thing.Hopefully you can work this out amicably and negotiate that price down!

., including occupancy rates and rental trends, which can help you spot potential investment opportunities.- HUD Multifamily Housing Listings: The HUD website lists multifamily properties for sale, including foreclosures and government-owned properties.

Hey Kristin, for markets where a property can work both as a short-term rental (STR) and a long-term rental (LTR), look for locations with year-round demand, like tourist spots that also have a stable local population (e.g., parts of Florida, Texas, or the Carolinas).

I want to live in one unit and rent out the other unit to help pay off the mortgage, then buy another spot when I have enough saved up as a vacation home.

Tampa's a great spot to start & House hacking a 4-plex is an excellent way to  build cash flow.

Add in demand for the land itself, increase in the younger generation aiming for household formation, in-migration to Florida from retirees or from other relocations, and your observation is spot on.