I've relocated to Lexington, SC from NJ, where I personally believe has the potential to be the next up and coming area.Number 2 school districts in SC, weather is amazing, wages keeping up with inflation, way of life, tons to do, and 10 minutes from South Carolina University (among some of the top rated universities)Trying to get ahead of the game, I'm in the process of getting my real estate license so I have access to what is avaliable because the housing shortage here is insane.

THIS HOME HAS A LOTS OF OUTFOOR SPACE TO ENJOY THE BEAUTIFUL SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA WEATHER.

THIS HOME HAS A LOTS OF OUTFOOR SPACE TO ENJOY THE BEAUTIFUL SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA WEATHER.

We state clearly in the listing that we don't offer refunds due to weather, but it's not always weather related and I wish we could just avoid the whole issue in the first place. 

I also don't believe I have the reserves to weather the recession storm for more than 8 months.

Water is getting in because water both seeks its own level and seeks the path of least resistance.

That being said, if home prices are going down, so to, would potential real estate investments which gives me more options.All in all,Option 1 is a first step into real estate investing and seemingly the path of least resistance with regard to starting to invest, but is the smaller return and lack of monetary protection worth the risk?

These loans will cost you more but the ease of use is so worth it. you will be able to scale weather it is buy & holds, BRRR's or flips. 

When COVID hit, I decided to live in it for a bit to weather the storm.

I guess I am unclear on how to determine weather these are potentially good deals.