The first step is making the decision to get started, congrats!

I'm pretty excited to get this off my back.Before anyone comes at me with how this is not a wise decision given the time value of money and potential compound growth, just know I am completely aware that I could have invested this money at a higher interest rate and "put it to work" rather than paying down my 4.5% loans, but it was more of a freedom from this non asset-based debt that I was wanting to  get rid of. 

There is a house in my neighborhood that is in poor shape. 

If you want a bit more you can get a project manager and oversee big picture decisions.

I suppose if you are in a situation where there are absolutely no other potential applicants and on the verge of defaulting on your mortgage it could be a last ditch effort however with other options renting to new immigrants dependant 100% on charity seems to be a crazy decision.

Oregon is a very poor state to work in if your plan is to cover the entire state.. cost a bundle ..

.- tough decision to make, my sympathy.

I am supposed to close in a few days and I want to make a well informed decision on how to approach this. thank you guys so much!

Grannie did pass away :( But about a year before, my mom and uncle had my grandmother ( still a conscious decision maker, but entering hospice) deed the house to them.

It is just that none of the options that I have considered our jumping out at me as definitively the right decision.