The last few weeks have been busy with the kids on fall break and a big project at the day job so here is the next stage of our journey:With the tree house under contact our realtor set us up with the usual MLS listing alerts and we looked at properties every day.  

If you are concerned at all about long term equity and apperciation, I would stay away or only invest in areas that are close to city centers that have the potential to be converted into a full out bedroom community.

So, what should I do at this stage?

The main areas of growth (which are typically priced at a premium) are:-60603Chicago Loop (The Loop) neighborhood, Loop neighborhood-60606Chicago Loop (The Loop) neighborhood, Loop neighborhood, New Eastside neighborhood, River North neighborhood, West Loop neighborhood-60601Chicago Loop (The Loop) neighborhood, Loop neighborhood, New Eastside neighborhood-60661Greektown neighborhood, Near West Side neighborhood, West Loop neighborhood-60654River North, Fulton River District-60607Fulton Market neighborhood, Greektown neighborhood, Little Italy neighborhood, Near West Side neighborhood, Printer's Row (Printers Row) neighborhood, University Village neighborhood, West Loop neighborhood-60604Chicago Loop (The Loop) neighborhood, Loop neighborhood-60611Gold Coast neighborhood, Magnificent Mile (Michigan Avenue) neighborhood, Near North Side neighborhood, River East neighborhood, Streeterville neighborhood-60657Lakeview (Wrigleyville) neighborhood, Lakeview East (East Lakeview) neighborhood, Northalsted (Boys Town) neighborhood, Roscoe Village neighborhood-60605Loop neighborhood, Near South Side neighborhood, Printer's Row (Printers Row) neighborhood, South Loop neighborhood-60602Chicago Loop (The Loop) neighborhood, Loop neighborhood-60642Goose Island, Noble Square, River West-60614Bucktown neighborhood, Depaul neighborhood, Lincoln Park neighborhood-60613Lakeview (Wrigleyville) neighborhood, North Center neighborhood, Northalsted (Boys Town) neighborhood, Uptown neighborhood3.

What: East Bay BP MeetupWhen: Next Tuesday, December 10th, 2013 - 6:30PM to 9ish (or whenever you need to leave - don't be afraid to show up late if you're commuting)Where: The Trappist bar, 460 8th St Oakland, 94607Get There: Ride BART to 12th St/Civic Center Oakland & walk down Broadway to decreasing-numbered streets at 8th St.

When: Thursday, January 16th, 2014 - 6:30PM to 9ish+ Where: Rosamunde Sausage Grill (& Bar) Swans Market Place, 911 Washington St, Oakland, CA 94607 Get There: Take BART to 12th St/Civic Center Oakland Station& walk down Broadway to decreasing-numbered streets.

I think we are still in planning and researching/learning stage because we don't want to make any commitments until he finishes school.

Far too many get stuck in the "paralysis by analysis" stage, thinking they just don't know enough to get started.

You’ll probably look at more properties than you’d like before you can even get to that inspection stage.

nb=1 Get There: Take BART to 12th St/Civic Center Oakland Station & walk down Broadway to decreasing-numbered streets.