@Henry Clark  Let's plan on Friday. 

Care to explain how you got it done? 

I was careful to select another contractor because I didn't want to end up in the same situation again.

Always have a plan-or more than one.

virtually any state out in the west will fit this bill.. careful with STR regulations though

You got to get a little vulnerable on here...What is the plan? 

My plan is to fully rent out the house I have and house hack the next property while still investing in real estate through other avenues.

I've read quite a bit about the Raleigh Durham area RE market blowing up because of all the corporations that continue plans to move/grow there; the eye catching announcement a while ago being Apple with their 10 year plan of adding a few hundred more employees each year.

Check with your insurance company first - they might have an opinion on what you are planning on doing

I plan to do the BRRRR method (They are in their early 50's so they have about 15 years or so before we would want to sell or I buy them out of their properties for retirement) .Thank you in advance for any advice!