She said she sent the remaining $400 by  money order last week and i expect to receive it by Wed May 13. 

Not where they live..this is a common theme here in Portland/Vancouver  go to WA no  state income tax.. but work for an Oregon company and you still pay Oregon income tax.. 

The overall theme of your post confused me as it moved in both what seemed to be a direction of pro and con as to question of impending collapse, a confusing conflict. 

Currently this is going towards our wedding, but will be reallocated to real estate in 6 months. 

They can't work, but they can smoke and drink and party and travel out of state to a friend's wedding, and keep the cell phone and wireless service going to post selfies on Instagram and Facebook. 

We are in the early stages of wedding planning along with her starting a new career so we have every excuses as why to not make this happen.

High-end furniture, custom construction, and themed interior decoration.

Knowing your area's school district and proximity to downtown, attractions, theme parks, military bases, airport, are all important depending on your end goal.

@John WilliamsonIf you plan on flipping it would be good to get yourself a style theme.

I suggest you do some basic internet searches as to the causes of the housing affordability crisis, it will include themes such as government policy, capitalism (who is often paying immigrants as cheaper labor), international unrest (which immigrants are often fleeing from), investors inflating prices, people looking for affordable housing not wanting to live where there actually is affordable housing), high interest rates, general inflation and more.