Currently I am involved in a mid-size residential remodeling company with a pretty stable workload which supports myself and my family.

I rehab in one of the most expensive markets in the country and even then the cost of doing stucco work to a house of the same size will be probably half of your quote or less.

@Rodney Kuhl , if you're comfortable with the size of the investment, I definitely recommend not a SFR or duplex, but a fourplex!

Contact any of these people to see if the estate has property for sale.Often estates will be coded for size or whether they contain any real property this can help narrow your search.

Your insurance company can subrogate fire damage to the tenants policy which reduces your claim size.

(I usually use $50/month on properties this size).

I would also call a couple of vacation rental companies in the area and tell them you are thinking about buying there and ask them what areas rent best, what size house you should get, what amenities you should put in (wifi, hot tub, pool table, etc).

@William T.Can you give us a little more detail on the property type, size of building, area, price point etc etc?

Ask several brokers and include the size and type you are looking for as well as the sub market.

@Erik Palmquist Thank you - I was just on the HomePath site and actually was surprised to see some great properties (as far as location, size, and price).