Staying local and house hacking—especially now, before kids—gives you so much flexibility to set yourselves up for long-term success.Your financial foundation is super strong, and house hacking a quad sounds like an amazing first step for you two.

Try to stay close to the median home price for that city. 

Most owners are local and therefore “hot” money or out of area players are not yet chasing Pittsburgh assets, keeping prices favorable.References United States Census Bureauhttp://www.cmu.edu/news/stories/archives/2017/august/economic-impact-report.htmlMarcus & Millichap 2017 Multifamily Investment Forecast2017 Commercial Real Estate Trends Report by Integra Realty Resourceshttp://www.pittsburghmagazine.com/Pittsburgh-Magazine/September-2017/Staying-CMU-All-Eyes-on-Carnegie-Mellons-Future/http://www.nextpittsburgh.com/features/pittsburgh-developments-watch-2017/

Stay consistent, set clear goals, and remember real estate is a long-term game that rewards patience and persistence!

This way I get paid upfront for my work 1-2k plus I know I have another payday at some point in the future if the deal closes.The costs to fully develop a property and sell for near retail usually involves the costs below and takes 2-6 months or more in some cases, but the profits can be huge if you're working in markets where land costs are high:Title 200-400Legal 500-2000 depending on zoning issuesIf wetlands are present AND its a buffer zone project: 2000-5000Perc & septic design if needed 1500-3000Treescaping & cleanup for retail sale 500-1500Selling costs of 6%I tend to stay clear of properties that need more than the above expense items.  

I've had a few of those where they stayed 4 years and were pretty easy on the house. 

Quote from @Michael Penny: @Chris Seveney what encouraged you to move to Madison vs staying with Inspira(?)?  

I told them they could stay there at no charge till the bank evicted them and made them sign a hold harmless.

I would stay away at all costs. 

update on this, in my opinion unconstitutional law. in December 2024  a Texas judge put a stay on the Transparency Act.