Depending on the work needed, perhaps you can live there for most of the time while things are getting finished up....and hence, save on carry costs since this will be a roof over your head  as well. 

The truth or fallacy of that statement depends on the community in which they are placed.

In Nassau, they can easily be $15,000 to $30,000 depending on the town.

It all depends what are your true goals and if you are able to have the income without a degree to achieve buying your rentals.

It depends on what you want to accomplish and what your goals are. 

If you locate right you will be within your range for Chicago (depending on where your destination is).

(I had one lady claim that she did a lease purchase about 20 years ago and she couldn't get financing due to her other mortgage still being in place)I'm not sure if I answered correctly...I said that it depends on the lender that your broker goes with and I said it shouldn't really impact your ability to get a new loan, because you can say that your old house (the one under agreement with me) is an investment property and under lease.

Providing input for you on renting vs buying (investing) at this point doesn't help much as it really depends on your budget and short/long term goals. 

(State depending, I live in NY where CC and Fees are up to 10%)

Account Closed It depends on your comfort level.