Just overall return perhaps, since I do invest in the stock market and believe in it, especially since the fed seems to hate downturns  Not a bad move if you feel comfortable with that and it balances out your portfolio in a direction that makes you feel more settled.

This isn't hard to understand for someone with an IQ above their own shoe size.

There are deals out there you just must go outside your comfort zone to capitalize on them. 

That being said, I've looked at properties in places like Kansas City and Columbus and they look much more attractive, especially as a new investor who'd prefer to risk less.So my question to you is, if you were in my shoes starting out would you pay more and invest close to home in a pricier West Coast market, or build a "core four" team and invest OOS?

If all you ever do is save cash...you will need a few million to retire comfortably. then you will use it up and not have anything to pass down.

However, if you are used to how we worked during COVID and are comfortable with Zoom, Workplace, modified meetings online, a brokerage like eXp may work better and cost you less.

I love NJ and everything it has to offer, but I would feel unfulfilled if I never lived outside of the Tri-State area.2) Stepping outside my comfort zone * This is similar to the above bullet point.

I know the East Asian furnished-home-feature desirability checklist (shoe storage at entrance, good rice cooker, good cooktop, exterior venting extraction hood), but is there something I'm missing for a South Asian audience? 

The seller felt comfortable that if the sale fell through the tenant would just stay, and the tenant felt comfortable waiting to start looking until after the closing since they still had 60 days after to look for a place.

Are you comfortable doing some work to get a house ready or do you want something turnkey?