If you don't intend to occupy one unit ("house hack") you might consider looking at some of the cities outside of the metro area that still benefit from the population growth of the city but have a lower price point.

The position's that we put our families in when we push the limits to break through to the next level.  

And lower when there are job losses.

I understand at a very basic level the importance of legal advice in real estate transactions.

I'd recommend going big than going small (for you I'm guessing you are doing FHA or lower down payment as a hack).

That's simply ridiculous, and this agent must have been an idiot of the next level sort to have tried something like that.

If you can't your profits will be lower.

There's a lot of stock of 10-25 year old detached tri-levels in places like Roy in that size.  

I would say you are on the lower end of the spectrum for sure.

As already stated this place is a great resource for educating yourself no matter your level of experience.