You also want to do some research yourself to find out about local schools, population growth, crime stats, job growth, etc...If you're open to other strategies aside from OOS, my advice would be to begin local (if possible).

Forgot to add that the population of the closest town is 6,000+ with strong growth every year.Thanks everyone.Overview

So condos can be fine, especially in densely populated areas where it’s harder to buy SFRs.

And supply has been choked off in 2008, meanwhiel the US population kept on growing.

Finally, given that I will be my first purchase, it seems like the loan approval for the property would reduce the number of ways where I can screw up.However, I recently came across some stories where people buy ~$15k houses and do impressive renovations (roof, floors, kitchen, bath) for ~$15k due to the fact that those properties are in less populated areas and have cheap rehab costs.

The taxes keep going up and the population keeps declining, more and more of the well paying jobs in factories and such are closing.

If the numbers don't work with a house hack you should invest out-of-state in a market that the numbers do work, as well as one that has good population growth, and job opportunities.

Census Bureau population projections show that the key homebuying population of those 30-49 years old is set to grow significantly through 2039.

You just need to measure population, mobility, income, and demand for units.

Are you in a densely populated area with lots adjacent to each other?