Appraisals attempt to determine market value. 

They attempted to sell me on the idea that the area around my community will be built up within the next 5 years, driving the prices of my home and other houses up substantially.

The biggest challenge has been balancing rehabbing both units while attempting to get the upper ready to be rented as soon as possible.

Preferably first/last depending on what state laws allow.When this is all over, make sure you file eviction and attempt to reclaim / garnish any lost money as your state allows. 

I attempt to snake the drain myself, doesnt work a plumber comes and we think everything is all good.  3 days later tennant calls and washing machine in room adjacent to kitchen backs up out of the floor drain and causes damage to flooring in 2 adjacent rooms.

The houses fetch a premium for the character and charm.

My wife and I are attempting to buy our first investment property and hopefully house hack with it.

However I am attempting to purchase my first single family home with a conventional 20% down in Chicago-land suburbs in order to fix up while living there for a year or two, with the intent of renting out later.

I vote yes if you have genuinely abandoned your attempt to buy the property.

I'm attempting to build a US credit score myself (from Australia), with no intention of moving there.Have managed to get US HSBC bank account remotely, and Nova credit has given me a good score was just unsure about needing US sourced income for the Amex or if they'll accept Aus income/residency.Thanks again!