When buying a home for personal use, the best months to secure a property at a lower cost are generally from late fall to winter, specifically November through February.

There are some very detailed threads here about specific states.

My husband and I are both healthcare workers and plan to start investing in 2025. 

Hi All, We recently purchased a duplex we're planning on house hacking-- we're going to live in one unit and rent out the other. 

Feel free to ask any specific questions. 

Given that it's almost a 50% increase from the existing rent price, you might want to set a timeline of 2 or 3 months before it taking effect so they can find alternative housing if they plan on vacating instead of staying at that price point.Another option could be to ask for the rent increase, but offer something in return.

I have a primary I have always planned to rent when I leveled up.

I am wondering if it is a good idea to invest in one of these foreclosed homes or old single families. the prices there are actually extremely cheap compared to where I live in new jersey. my overall plan is to own multiple rental properties. 

At the same time you can go to the local building departments and find the plans for the projects and get the GC info from that as well as the architect.

Or is your goal to simply add RE assets for a long term retirement plan.