He gave me a $50K business line of credit and his staff has always been easy to work with when I simply call them.

I would like to just cut off the fire damaged part and connect the rest to my home.

@Frank Greg, Easy buddy. 

It's very easy to do yourself online, but there is services that do it for about $150.

It is easy to get burned locally . . . imagine how much easier it is investing 500+ miles away!

In Westminster, a growing suburb northwest of of Denver, the marginal difference in price for a 4br v a 5br is easy less per month than the extra $800-$1000/room in rent you get. 

You might also be able to employ a short term rental strategy to increase cashflow-- sporting events, conferences, homecomings, graduation, etc. always attract people to the area.Ask around and try to find people who are investing in Amherst/Northampton and connect with agents in the area to see what's working.

Katrina is a nice person and easy to work with.

I'm sure we could all learn a bit from one another, and make some local connections in the process.

For instance in Vegas its pretty cool and easy but it creates uber competition.