where it goes up a 1/4 inch and then drops a 1/2 inch is about a 8 foot area.

I’ve went through many classes and mentors and lectures but I can’t seem to get my foot in the door , maybe because I’m not confident in my first step.

You still need frost footings, might as well make it a basement.

I was searching for a househack and a triplex where two units were identical and massive and could be rented out for quite a bit and a third unit that was a simple 1 bedroom unit created the perfect opportunity, plus it was one of the cheapest costing properties on the MLC when looking at price per square foot.

Because northern New Jersey is so dense and varied, my general advice would be: explore some of these areas by car/foot.

You could add a drop ceiling to all the ceilings of the first-floor apartment to minimize the heat transfer between apartments -- if the ceiling in the basement is high in a 1930-era property I think it's safe to assume 8-foot ceilings throughout which would allow you to drop the ceiling up to six inches with acoustic tiles that also provide great ceiling insulation.

Strategically, I moved into my car and made my way to Denver, CO earlier in 2018 where the weather was bearable to live in my 4-door sedan while I networked and got my first job as a software engineer.After getting my foot in the door and some experience as a junior software engineer, I began searching for a job in a lower cost of living area than Denver and away from the traffic.Strategically, I was looking for jobs in midwestern cities with colleges and stable economies because my next goal is to own a home and rent out rooms in the home.As luck would have it, I'm starting a new position in Lincoln, NE in January 2019 where I lived for 10 years before (I went to college there).Now I'm seeking advice for my first rental property purchase.My plan is to purchase a house around $90,000-$120,000 in June/July of 2019.

$30 per square foot is very, very low if you are doing any mechanical work, and if you are paying people to do the work. 

Both are 10,000 sq foot lots but have green space in back (Oregonians!)

Now you got your foot in the door and own some real estate.