(Of course, prices have skyrocketed since the last time rates were 7%...)The problem with "...am questioning if I should buy now or continue to save in hopes that mortgage rates drop in a couple of months. ..." is that rates might not go down for YEARS - if at all.Inflation keeps coming in hot.

If there are any real estate investors on here that live in Fort Worth, Texas, would y'all like to meet up?

FL NO,MAYBE you will get 3% ,  I live in FL and its all very overpriced.

This leaves the tenants extremely frustrated, especially if it's a refrigerator issue causing their food to spoil, or possibly an issue with an appliance leaking water onto the floor, etc. 

My plan is to use the grant to purchase  a duplex  and live in one side for free or close to it.

If someone is working with a lower balance of funds like I am, than I'm more likely to prefer cashflow so that I can continue to afford the property as well as my life style.If I had some disposable income that was in excess of what I need to live on, than I'm more inclined to look forward towards appreciation because I would have enough wealth to take the hit now for the bigger payment in the future. 

I'm thinking of making the main requirement to live in the home be a master's degree.  

reach out to me via skype- live:.cid.71af55eb86952250 

First:  I'm not sure where you live if it would be conducive to this, but you could look into ecotourism and agritourism. 

Over the last 6 years I have been retired as a real estate professional exclusively handling my own properties and living on the income generated.I don't regret the decision and will eventually fully retire.