For a more long-term, appreciation based approach, look for economic drivers.

Come to Columbus, there are still 1% deals, but the more attractive part is the population growth and other economic drivers!

You need to have those utilities in your name, your drivers license and owners registration need to be that address, your voter registration needs to be that address, your Federal and state income tax returns need to be that address, etc. etc. etc.Don't play games or you could be a felonFHA mortgages are only for owner occupied properties, up to 4 units, you must occupy one for at least 1 year, after that you can move.There's other ways to legally have low down on an investment property, seller second being just one method.

I was so mad, especially since they couldn't give me a reason why.

You can get it done pretty cheaply early in the season with Angies List or a Groupon versus the end of July when you know it will breakdown and the AC guy is three weeks behind and your tenants are howling mad because the AC is out, probably because they didn't change the filter for six months.  

Hire maids , landscapers . maybe a driver .   

Income is always the biggest driver to increase wealth at the beginning, and this seems like a great transition.

Climate and culture are both major drivers of where people decide to live.

I'm in a totally different market with different drivers, different housing prices and different rental considerations.

It is your drivers license address.