@Tony Cash , I just searched Bigger Pockets Money and BiggerPockets Money and found it both times.

I just started listening to Bigger Pockets last week, but I have been interested in real estate investing for the last year or so.

Every no brings you closer to a yes.With a limited track record you could get a partner on a deal, wholesale a deal until you have enough money to have a bigger deposit, or like @Peter Sanchez and @Alexander Felice mentioned house hacking.Real estate is amazing because you have unlimited options and have to develop the mindset that you are a real estate transactor.Let me know if you need help with anything and I would be happy to help!

My goal is to buy up the block and surrounding blocks. 

This book truly changed my life, so much so that I bought a copy just to give to my brother in the hopes that he at age 27 could take advantage of what I'd already passed at age 31 (he's single and doesn't own a house yet, whereas I'm married and have a home).I have to admit, when I started listening to and reading Bigger Pockets I was thinking all about increasing earnings and didn't understand why I would "rob" myself in the mean time and be "needlessly frugal."

If I was you I would retain a lawyer for your court appearance and give him a heads up on the bigger picture.

Quick update: we decided not to move into the bigger house in the burbs (it didn’t appraise and the seller wouldn’t come down) and are happily still living below our means.The Financial freedom that comes with living modestly is so sweet it will take a very special house to get us to move at this point.ALSO, similar townhome/same community as ours just sold for $30k MORE than what we had ours under contract for a month ago, so I feel like the low new house appraisal causing our deal to fall through was a blessing in disguise.

Bigger Pockets is a phenomenal resource connecting with those in the industry and getting started in REI.

@Logan Allec provided an outstanding explanation, and @Basit Siddiqi added couple good points.I just want to frame the bigger picture: the new law does NOT hurt ("hose", using your word) people who receive 1099-G for prior overpayment. 

I haven't noticed too much attention on Vegas specifically here on BP, but turnkey is one of the most commonly discussed topics.I don't know much about Vagas but I've been around the turnkey block many many times.