Have you considered attempting to explore options of buying from the seller and renting the property so you can begin to create your own portfolio of passive income?  

They have agreed to hold paper for us on unique properties they wouldn't normally, such as off the grid properties.Finding the right properties is the biggest challenge, once that's done getting them ready and rented is easy and the fun part for us!

I have never fully explored it but I'm guessing there are some opportunities in the bigger cities like Bozeman, Helena, Butte, Brookings and Missoula.

It's important to note that not everyone will have the same taste in decor, so having a vibrant/unique colour scheme could be a turn-off for a lot of people.Clean from top to bottom.Every room should be cleaned and bad odours removed as it could be something as small as this that turns viewers off the home.

Now that we have set off on this journey and rents in NYC skyrocketing, we are contemplating whether to continue expanding on out-of-state SFR investments or explore the path of FHA approved house hacking in NYC/NJ metro area. 

We wanted to find a home outside of Raleigh but still within Wake County that would allow our family to explore the area.

My trip is essentially a vacation, but other than enjoying the unique touristy things each city has to offer, I really want to use the bulk of my time to explore markets and dip my toe in the water of investing, exploring different neighborhoods, looking at properties, talking to agents, investors, and whomever else can provide valuable insight on what I'd be venturing into when I'm eventually ready to buy.My intention with this post isn't really to turn this into a sort of journal with periodic updates, but mostly I was hoping that this post, and perhaps others in the future, could help me connect with some of you more experienced folks out there who may be willing to lend a helpful hand in anything at all real estate related. 

I'm exploring that option, since there's a hospital really close by. 

congratulations. you will learn alot as you go. take lessons and dont make the same mistakes twice. try to do do what you can and capable of before sourcing it out. network and get great maintenance folks for all trades as you will need them throughout your journey. learn how to market and rent out your property. explore short term rentals if there is a demand in your area. 10% aside is a good start can vary on how old the property is so things can change.

As for the other subject, whether they were explorer's, people escaping religious persecution or even entreprenuers, people CAME to this country for a variety of reasons.