Look for a community of active owners who are determined to curate a great place to live.  

If you notice my posting history I am investigating purchasing my first condo in the next few months and am investigating some potential scenarios.I am looking into living in the unit for a little over 1 year and putting it up for rent either with HCV/Section 8 or finding a tenant through my brokerage(L&F) or other means. 

We live in San Jose and would like to ideally start our first project that is closer to us.

Chances are, the living arrangements and property use is not as it was supposed to be.If the money is good, set a lease with extra provisions for the dope house cleanup when the tenant leaves.You can't charge for the plants, but you can charge for uncommon use of the property.

For the last 5 years, I have been self-performing live-in flips with my wife and two young children.

@Tyrell HenryI'll simplify:Don't start OOSDon't start with hard moneyDon't try a major BRRRRHouse hack or live-in flip insteadhttps://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/live-in-flipGood luck

I had been looking for properties around the area I currently live, but very few make sense in regard to the numbers given the current state of the economy.

I currently am completing a garage conversion and another Junior ADU that will add 1278 sqft between the two units.  

Homeowners still living there need a place to go so your pitch may not matter.

High search volumes for terms like "luxury apartments Syracuse NY" and "new apartments Syracuse NY" mirror the interest in upscale living spaces, particularly evident in this zip code.