I come from Europe too, and I know it can be overwhelming when you look at the real estate market in a new country and with completely different building technics ( sticks instead of bricks), but is not as bad when you have the right team in place. 

There is a legal difference. 

It's about 20 miles away in an entirely different sub-market.Great price range though. 

Part of the difference apparently is in them keeping the loan insted of selling it.

Is it different like SC? 

I ended up buying a different property two blocks away.  

There are pros/cons to the bay area vs out of state and everyone's situation is different to reach their goals within their own timeline. 

But I think it has more to do with how different individuals handle what is technically an invasion of their space and privacy.

Also, I'm not sure how you're paying attention to it on the tax side, but the unit that you are living in's profit at sale is calculated differently than the other unit that you're renting out.Once you move out, that unit is officially available for rent so from that point forward, any profit gained at future sale will be calculated starting from that point and will be taxable.

Quote from @Sam Walls: Hey Marcus, I work with a lot of investors in the Philly suburbs, and I can tell you that connecting with like-minded people in the early stages of their journey can make a huge difference.