We are currently renting and at $1000/moth it is not fantastic, I know we are making a lifestyle choice here,Originally posted by @Rob Beardsley:Have you considered renting so you can keep your cash working for you harder in your real estate investments?

I wanted an area that had a long track record of steady job growth, growing population, out of staters consistently migrating there for lifestyle/jobs, good balance demographically (types of workers, age of residents, etc.).

The ability to buy and sell or buy and hold without having to physically see the house.This is pretty cool and I remember my first deal when I did a deal without ever seeing the house or meeting the seller in person.If you are looking to have more of a lifestyle business were you never to have to worry about going to houses in person, this could be a great fit for you.Also, If you like to travel and want your business to run from your phone and laptop, this could be the business model for you.Over the next few weeks, I will continue to write about some of the benefits, drawbacks and lessons I have learned from doing 90% of my business virtual.We are also looking for some passive partners who would be interested in getting involved in some of our rental deals in New York.

In areas like Ridgfield and Camas you can see what the money is doing as they have incredible schools, great sense of community and pride.The big question to ask besides taxes assuming your options don't vary to much would be lifestyle. 

I was able to scrounge up 15k through family for the down payment, but I had no money to enhance the property I was buying.

I would say, whenever you reached your goals if your current lifestyle will be kept at the same standards and that's all you need.  

Keep your REI account separate from your personal account and never rob it to enhance your personal life until your WHY is achieved.  

San Padre beach is right there too so I am a bit bullish on it because more tech jobs will want the lifestyle! 

MOST SFR buyers will buy for other reasons than if the property will "cash flow" - if you are a family buying a home - do you care about lifestyle, space for the family, your commute etc. or what it would theoretically rent out at?

We refused to give into the consumerism lifestyle.