Planning is your best defense (controlling expenses and unknowns) right now.

You need to stay there for at least one year, however, you can move earlier if there are changing circumstances beyond your control, taking a job 50 or more miles away or loss of job, death of a family member or having another child.

Good point on doing House 2 first to be more in control of the funds and transaction.

Its controlled by almost a block by block analysis to find good investments that will cash flow and will have long term appeal for appreciation into the future.For the further suburbs, there are some very good opportunities with very good appreciation and moderate cash flow.Due diligence is key.All the best.

Investors/Operators can use an Option to buy a property at a later date or to simply control circumstances to keep a property from being sold and to facilitate further transactions.

But I don't control the street.

I wouldn't have wanted to be in control of the funds for any small portion of time.

Quality control is difficult.

It is also considered very hands off.I think many would agree on here you could park that money in something fairly passive (SFR) and might come out better than investing in a REIT (also have more control - always a good thing).What are you looking to accomplish (investing goals)?

Is the 4plex in a rent controlled area?