But I'm not sure we have a full picture of your finances to advise you directly.Speaking to a financial advisor will help give you an idea of what you'd be comfortable spending and establishing those boundaries for yourself will help dictate the area you might want to look for.

Pretty much the only way to get funds into a retirement account is via earned income.Of course, growing it inside an account is a different issue.With those additional properties you say you are helping your kids buy, are you putting your name on Title? 

But it will still allow you to afford a SIGNIFICANTLY higher price point than if you did not house hack.So, if real estate appreciates 5% per year, then a $500,000 property will have $138,000 in additional value after 5 years.

Additionally, I have family I often visit in Birmingham and along the I-85 corridor (Greenville, Charlotte, and RDU area).

In addition, not all rigidcore products are constructed the same.

While estimates suggest higher returns (10-20%) than traditional rentals, additional costs and complexities come into play.

A pool requires the largest capital investment of the three, and in most cases adds very little if any additional value.

I can't think of a more boring way to spend $1,000s of dollars and lose hundreds of hours of time. 

This guy sounds like a hoarder who spends all day watching television and hanging out with his cats.

However from a tenant-demand perspective, still seeing most people will still spend the extra $50-$100/m to rent close to where they work, family, etc if they have the opportunity to.