@Steven DeHart there is a real estate meet up the 4th Monday of the month at walk ons in Lake Charles.

We bought couches from Lazyboy that have held up really well and I expect they will last many more years.Some Amazon stuff is good, read the reviews. 

I am a fellow house hacker and think it's the best way to get into the game if your circumstances allow it!

If you have not put them into service yet then you may want to hurry up and do that otherwise you’ll have to wait until next year.

All the adjacent counties?

I am planning to get into the TN real estate market as my first investment and am looking for some information.In particular: Areas to steer clear of, property management fees, typical cosmetic rehab costs, etc.My strategy is to put large down payments on 2 properties (relative to housing prices) to help pay for my living in NY while still gaining appreciation in a growing real estate market.

Quote from @Kyle Carter: What about if I already have a rental, not with the home buyers program.

The real estate market has shifted dramatically in recent years rising interest rates, evolving buyer and seller expectations, and fluctuating property values are keeping all of us on our toes.

Even then you would still need to actually go get the license and maintain it.   

It’s a solid option if you’re confident about refinancing before the higher rate kicks in or if you want to save more month-to-month early on.Option 2 (3.5% DP, Permanent Buydown): Lower upfront costs free up cash to invest elsewhere, and the 5.4% permanent rate adds predictability.