Not able to buy in this area without going house poor.

Here are the key details of my situation:Rental Property Details (Note: This was our primary home till 2017):Current Value: $970,000 to $1MPrimary Mortgage Loan Balance: $505,000 (@ 2.6%)Took Home Equity Loan on this house to make down payment for my current primary residence.Home Equity Loan Balance: $123,000Total Loan Balance: $628K (Primary Mortgage + Home Equity Loan)Rental Status: OccupiedPrimary Residence:Purchased in 2022Mortgage Rate: 7.3%Current Loan Balance: $650KMy goal for 2025 is 2 fold: #1.

I found a house that I like to purchase in a great neighborhood and the exterior looks great for a 1922 stick built house.

To save those costs, you might want to stick to some year build and older, for example, if you cannot do inspections on the properties that you are buying due to off-market deals or something else that is hindering you (all sellers I buy from do not want anyone in the home till we close).

I had a client use one for their house hack in salt lake city area and it worked out well!

If you're willing and able, I do recommend the "house hacking" strategy which is just a fancy name for buying a rental property and living in one of the units, because you'll get very favorable financing - an owner-occupied fixed-rate 30-year mortgage.I'd also say, analyze that property as if you won't live there and it's a pure rental, and make sure the property is still cash flow positive if there's a tenant in your unit because then you'll know if it's actually a good investment.And when you analyze it, include payment of a property manager in your #s because if you don't, and doing so would make it go cash flow negative, then you've just bought yourself a job because you literally can't step away from managing it without losing money.

@Phillip Austin someone who obviously should not rent but buy themselves a brand new house. what was their previous place?  

Get the house hack under contract and closed first. 

I buy houses!

If you are selling your house here where are you going to live?