Thank you @Michele Fischer and @Colleen F. I

House Hacking, in my opinion, is the single best way to reach FI (or at least start), but many people are afraid to do it as there's a lot of misconceptions about this way of investing.

@Donald F., I think that it sounds pretty good.  

@Colleen F. I

My fiancé bought a 3 family that we bought 3.5% FHA owner occupied and then we re-fi into a conventional after a few years.

So fi you take title to the property before improving it the improvements cannot be part of the 1031. 

Keep down the path and you'll be at FI before you know it!

If I lived in one of the neighboring Toledo suburbs (some beautiful houses there, BTW), I'm pretty sure I'd be FI and living comfortably right now as I agree with @Russell Brazil.. the best market to invest is the one you are in. 

On my path to FI I'm already maxing out my TSP/401k, Roth IRA, HSA, and now I'm entering the world of REI!

I just don't know that I would ever be able to pull out the amount needed to pay back the private party in a re-fi .