Have the agent or the lender call the service to see about turn times (this is a factor in contingencies periods on the offer for loan).

This builds equity while offsetting housing costs and how I started my real estate journey - house hacking.My advice would be to run the numbers on both scenarios, factoring in real estate goals, finances, and family needs.

I think this gets down played, but getting to live in your desired location is a HUGE factor.

It was a knee jerk reaction to many different factors.  

Or is the main factor here the purchase price and rents?

Talk to your realtor and ask about renos factoring in time and cost.

My question is whether it’s a bad idea to put 20% down and continue renting my own place because of the convenience factors including being able to walk to work (and I work long/late hours).

Once you take into account all the expenses with being a landlord and vacancy factors.

GC takes 35% cut but and they take a 1% fee going in a 1% fee management and a 1% fee going out.

While you are deciding, see if you can't raise your nightly fee.