@Gil CanfuBased on my experience working with over 400 investors, investing in a single-family home in Dallas with a $300K budget is a smart move due to the area's strong rental demand and appreciation potential.

Looking to find duplex or something along those lines to reside in and then eventually move upward.

This would be our first full rehab and first time using creative financing so I want to make sure I'm underwriting it correctly before we make any moves!

Off-Market: I was working for a storage facility and the owner needed help removing his stuff because he was moving How did you finance this deal?

It has to be the worst market in the country.That being said…Can you sell your current primary for a decent price and move in to this property?

Covering the mortgage isn’t an issue, but I’m considering factors like: Multi-Family: House hacking would help offset costs right away, but I’d likely need to put money into renovations upfront.Single-Family: Easier move-in with no immediate renovations needed, plus potentially lower tenant turnover once I rent it out For those who have been in a similar situation, what did you choose and why?

I went to school in Santa Barbara and moved from just north of San Francisco to live and invest in Reno, NV. 

The IRS considers a rental property "placed in service" when it is available and ready to rent, not necessarily when the first tenant moves in. 

@Paul De Luca PITI 11.4k, Gross Income (once I move out) 12.5k 

I am a resident physician in dermatology, during  medical school I bought a property in Denver with an Interest rate of 2.75% (COVID rates lol) with the goals of renting it out when I moved onto the residency.