An option to purchase could be a duplex to house hack, this can help you bring in extra income, and/or if it needs rehabbed you can live in the property while you do the rehab. 

If you arnt and your going to live there long term then again.. your other side is paying a very nice chunk of the overall interest.

According to CBS 17 News, Raleigh is the #2 hottest real estate market in the US and Durham is #4.You could even invest on the outskirts as well because I know some people would not want to live directly in the city.

She of course is in a very different market than you are and it is a house she is living at.

Hi all, I'm looking to invest in this area because it's close enough to where I live (Orange County). 

It takes much longer to evict and while they live rent-free you get nothing. 

Depending where you are, some utilities are attached to the house and some to the person living there. 

Lower down payment requirements but you have to live in the property for a year, no big deal if you plan on house hacking for FHA.

I was told by a lender that it is possible to qualify for first-time homebuyer grants/assistance due to him still be a FTHM and still using my income to assist with the home purchase.

As a newbie passive real-estate investor currently living in Austin, TX.