I've also noticed that this is in a more sketchy location of the city.MLS: 1019672 (28 Marlborough Street South, Cornwall)A bit of a breakdown:- Asking $155,000, last assessed for $110,000- Rented for $27,900 / year- Expenses are $15,000, with the heating being $9000.

I agree with your/my assessment.

If you are eligible for a 401k, you may be able to avoid unrelated debt financed income tax that would ordinarily be assessed on IRA transactions using leverage.

For me at first glance assessment, I would be hesitant until I had better numbers.

With your engineering background and interests have you progressed much in this arena during the year time since this particular BB post?

It's all about your own risk assessment but do the research and make the best decision you can.

Good luck to you and your Wife, let's keep in touch I would love to hear about your progress

The county property tax assessed values do not match and are quite irrelevant to the fair market value and comps for retail property sales. 

Figure out either an internet business(either dropshipping, ebaying, affiliate marketing, content creation(writing, reviews, videos, etc)(dude, start a blog now, put content on it, you put your story here, you can put it on your blog and eventually it will rank, even more as you progress your life improvement strategies))    ------    or start a super low overhead service business to start and run(think mobile/stationary car wash&detailing, cleaning service, maybe high demand time uber driving etc), or one possibly related somehow to real estate (if that is your interest)- like Landscaping(not maintenance-due to high equipment costs).

These areas must be experiencing lots of population growth as well as job growth with the goal of being right in the middle of the "path of progress".