I'm a CPA and worked in public accounting as a financial statement auditor for 3 years, and have since moved on to an accounting role at a large corporation here in town. 

The house was built in 1967, so it's an infant here in Pittsburgh and it looks it. 

DJ, what area of town for contractors? 

I intent to stay there when I'm in town, but when I am not I would like to rent it out.  

That might work in small town Iowa, but not in Seattle, the #1 market in the country where each place has 20+ offers the day it hits the MLS.

Took a partial hiatus from full-time sales in 2015-2017 for an internship with a fellow Broker in town who managed about 200 units, 40 of which were their personal - wanted to get my feet wet.

I built relationships with them over months and years and have relationships with those they do business with.

Wealth is built by holding on to assets. 

We pay approximately $500/month to live in a 4/2 25 minutes west of NYC in what is considered one of the top towns in NJ.

However the deals I have done there were really easy to diligence because I know the town, and I now have a great property manager who keeps finding me neat deals (he also shoots down a lot so I know he is honest).