Real estate is a long term wealth building strategy and in that one year you can learn a lot about home improvement and land lording. 

@Chris Kay it's VERY difficult to cashflow with 0% down purchases.We do 0-10% down Land Contracts and know going in we may actually have negative cashflow - which is acceptable given the low down payment and avoiding mortgage costs.

Also, when they said they have "network" to find investers/property owner to land my offers, and "system" to calculate profits in order to show whoever owns the property short term rental is the more profitable option.

Well, Oregon can feel like an entirely different ball game.. especially if you’re used to simpler markets like Arizona or Texas.

I've never been but the photos I see it's always Large newer homes or SFH on a large piece of land.

Because if it is your under capitalized in my mind to be any kind of land lord.. 

So, I've been diligently networking with realtors in my sphere, but let's just say I haven't exactly landed at the top of their preferred investor list.

.- Multiple other thriving business district areas (Carlyle / Eisenhower, Potomac Yards, National Landing), but especially Old Town Alexandria, are experiencing massive infrastructure and business development over the next decade, which will greatly boost tax revenue for the city over time.- Generally landlord-friendly state, no rent control- Secure government jobs/contracts make the real estate market much more resilient to recessions / major corrections- 15-minute drive to the Capitol of the United States- 4 Seasons- 15-minute drive to Arlington, Virginia (Amazon Headquarters 2 ((2017 announced, 2030 is bringing 25,000 new high-paying    jobs to the area)), Boeing Headquarters (2022), Microsoft Headquarters (2021), CoStar Headquarters (2024), Bloomberg    Headquarters (2017 expanded), Deloitte, and the list goes on)Thesis:Although more companies continue to go back to the office, there will be a shift toward a good amount of workers being able to be in hybrid roles.

If I finance the rebuild then the 1031 exchange presents some challenges (I will need to land a property that cash flows or breakeven so that I can get the loan for my rebuild, or banks will count that debt against me).

@Tj Collins You can 1031 exchange in and out of any state, you can 1031 exchange in and out of any investment real estate - farm land, apartments, commercial, single family investments, new construction etc...The big things are timing on the 45 day window, 3 property rule and closing in a certain amount of time.