How much do you have in potential capital gains?

that way you can utilize a lower downpayment and potentially rent by the room?

MY PLAN: My plan was always to refinance the mortgage when rates dropped in the future, so my hope is that my mortgage would eventually come down to around $1,500-1,550 which then makes my numbers closer, as rental prices increase over time.

EDUCATE YOURSELF - yes, it will take time, but will lead to a selection that better meets your expectations & avoids potentially costly surprises!

I totally agree - we FaceTime potential tenants to see where they are living - I did the same with my mobile home park

I just hope I can leverage my tax returns somehow, and my future career prospect but I really don't know.Thank you all in advance!

I figure a one time expense to prevent major water bills in the future might be in my best interest as long as it doesn't cost too much. 

Might be something recommend in future

I understand that the short-term might be challenging, but I’m encouraged by the long-term potential.

While some feel they have become too commercialized, others still find them useful for learning.The property listings and tools like calculators and rent estimators that can aid in analyzing potential deals.The local meetup groups that allow investors to network and connect in their area.Overall, BiggerPockets is seen as a good free resource for beginner real estate investors to learn the basics, though the quality and trustworthiness of the content is debated, especially after the company was sold.