I ask because I currently cannot get approved for a new purchase mortgage yet, my DTI is too high, but I'm looking for a RTO so that I can potentially reduce my monthly rent & start building equity and at the same time pay down more debt.I have a coworker who has mentioned doing RTO but I want to make sure that I'm going to be able to do the financing at the end; I was told if I transition from salary to comission (I'm in sales) that the clock resets, so to speak, and I have to do that for two years before I'll be able to be approved for a mortgage.

Are you concerned about taxes, school districts, public transit, walkability, highway access, distance and commute time to work? 

Here are a few steps to take to make that transition smoother:1.

@Haley Powell If you do not mind using the transit system in Dallas, there would possible be some opportunity to find affordable properties to house hack a little out from downtown.

So after all that drama, I proclaimed I would never live in a "transitional neighborhood" ever again. 

I am both an investor and a licensed realtor in New Orleans.I agree with @Stephen Keighery and @Mike Wood above.I would also add that this is a fringe area or an area in transition, whichever you want to call it.

Is that your main focus or do you want to transition to REI over time?

It needs to be within or extremely accessible by transit to downtown Toronto.3.

@Megan Greathouse my goal for investing is to begin building my portfolio to the point to where it’ll help ease my transition back to America when I am done playing.

But if you’re not 110% committed to transitioning to full time ASAP, I don’t recommend it.As a new agent, you’re something of a liability.