I am finding that it is more cost-effective (today) for me to rent my primary residence rather than to buy.

But of course, living in Pueblo would present issues commuting to work and also, from what I've seen and read about, possesses less potential for growth, has higher crime, and will demand lower rents.I'd love to get a MFH  but they're prohibitively expensive in CS and I don't want to get over-leveraged for one, assuming I could even qualify. 

"Single family residence purposes" is self-explanatory.Whether you call what you are building a "single family residence" is immaterial.

Do you have a primary residence already or could you house hack? 

So most people qualify.

I want to buy him a home (1-4 unit) which would be his primary residence.

Introduce yourself and get a feel for the quality of other residents and their impression of the building.

The Pocono's, Monroe, Pike, Wayne and Carbon Counties have long been attractive to NY & NJ residents.

I reside in Santa Rosa, CA and property prices are way too expensive, as such looking in out-of-state areas. 

I recently bought my first property - a 2 bedroom 2.5 bath townhome which is also where I reside now.