My husband and I have been buying and living in single family homes then renting when we move (only when the numbers make sense, 1% rule or better) I have recently been looking in the Williamsburg/Yorktown/Newport News areas and haven't found anything that looks like a smart investment based off the 1% rule.Due to our family size (family of 4 possibly growing to 5 while we are there plus two large dogs and a cat) we are looking for a 3-4 bedroom home, over 1,500 sq/ft. 

That said, the stress and change of a move may not be the best choice right away.

You're smart because you're questioning why.

If the home wouldn't cashflow fully rented out, then I'm not that sure it's wise choice. 

Time will tell if i made the right choice!

The choice for Brazil is not the subject of my question.

We actually had too many engineers doing nothing.. then Reagan (our government) had no choice but to snuff out inflation there by protracting that down turn even longer.

Then again, for a few hundred bucks, you could easily get an 80% Heloc to have access to cash if you ever need it.A primary wouldn't be my first choice to buy with cash, but dumber things have been done. 

There can sometimes be a fine line between trying to be smart and save a buck, and breaking the law.

I think your goal to rent it out and buy another fixer upper is smart.