We are able to get places very cheaply using this buying strategy.Putting the least amount down and having leverage is a smart move, but arranging this financing takes time and when the opportunity comes to buy a really great deal in a seller's market such as the one I'm currently buying in, it's wiser for us to put our cash all in, renovate, place a stable tenant, and then eventually pull our cash out by refinancing.

A chart does not tell you the entire story.If smart people from Feds, academia do not have a clue but kept suggesting this may be the end of cycle.

Just be smart about it.

From what I’ve read on BP there’s a ton of smart savvy people here that could probably map out a path for you!

Now that's smart question :)

A survey and phase 1 will be required if you are getting debt and it's always smart to get those done either way just for peace of mind, so make sure to budget for those as well.

That's a smart thought of using Amazon HQ2 options. 

Would it be smart for me to do that or wait until I can afford a house here.

They are reluctant to borrow, however the idea of paying out of pocket for the remodeling does not sound smart to me as it would commit all that cash and take 2-3 years to re-coup, whereas I think they could still have ample cashflow while paying back a loan for the improvements (depending on length of payback).

You are surely smart enough to figure this out by doing the hard research yourself....?