I've lived in Pittsburgh my whole life and being that I'm in an out of properties every single day, I really know the market.

I am US citizen living in Europe for now.

house hacking where you live does not mean you can't also invest somewhere else. 

@Verna Littleton @Wendy Thurst we rep for NREIG and can share that they will not be able to insure the building if it is owner occupied.If you are living in the property as your primary home, you would get a standard Homeowners policy. 

Are you able to afford living in either of the properties?

To assist with the bank required down 3.5%, 5% down payment?

I live in Kansas City and have been visiting Branson for the last 15 years but it seems like it has remained a hidden gem for investment purposes.  

(For instance, it certainly seems as though quite a few of Evernest's "managers" actually live in MEXICO, rather than the cities in which the properties they manage are!)

Normally if you are not living in the property, you need a 20% down payment.

The occupancy as a second home has to make sense if it's within a reasonable close proximity to where you live.3.