Refinancing offers the best of both worlds.

I've been entrenched in the Bigger Pockets world and REI in general for some time now.

They are typically niched in the real estate investing world.

The world seems like a big place, but it really isn't.

Technology is on your side but sometimes the old school, real world, good branding and local presence pays off.

I definitely still feel like a complete novice in the world of real estate investing so I am hoping to be able to connect and learn from people within the Biggerpockets community to hopefully clear the air and answer some questions I have.

You might find this recent article very helpful in changing some of your assumptions on the housing market: https://www.economist.com/special-report/2020/01/16/housing-is-at-the-root-of-many-of-the-rich-worlds-problemsGood luck and PM me if I can help you.

My advice would be to go for the house hack option, here's why:1) You can never count on market appreciation and in a world of historically low financing rates I would suggest that asset prices are sensitive to a downturn2) You can much more reliably force appreciation by by improving an asset3) If you focus on assets that need improving you are much more likely to get a below market deal where you will have instant equity at closing4) You can get much better financing terms for a property that you buy personally rather than an investment5) You will ultimately be a better investor if you have some hands on experience6) You will get better returns on the house hack because you can avoid paying property management feesetc.Good luck!

The plow companies straight ignore calls and messages while they are scrambling to get their contracts completed.The real estate world up there has done a good job of isolating themselves from the flatlanders and outside businesses.

The world is very much FILLED with those who would rather do anything than confront uncertainty.Now I'm not saying that this means you have to dive headlong into obviously suicidal risk, screaming "YOLO" all the way.