There is nothing wrong with investing out of state, but have you invested in your own back yard yet? 

With that much equity, it doesn't seem like you can go wrong either way. 

But they are wrong. 

Just trying to build this knowledge so I'm not wasting money & time by calling wrong contractors out.

In reading through the policy documents provided by Stewart Title, it appears that the ALTA Homeowners policy we purchased:"This policy covers only Land that is an improved residential lot on which there is located a one-to-four family residence and only when each insured named in Schedule A is a Natural Person"So....looks like I bought the wrong type of policy?

Most importantly, a blemished credit score hurt much less in the interview/hiring process for my line of work than possible legal repercussions of doing things wrong.

You're working with fantastic people who won't steer you wrong

Unless you're paid to jump out of airplanes for a living, people who put on parachutes do so just in case something goes wrong and they need one.

Tell me if I'm wrong guys, I don't claim to be an expert.

I've yet to see a property on there eligible for financing but I could be wrong.