Please take it easy on me, I'm a relative newby here...I have been considering spearheading a multifamily construction project in my area for some time and need to get rolling if I'm going to actually do it.  

I'm relatively new to real estate, but I have the passion and curiosity to learn.

You should also get a good snow shovel (hardware store) and maybe a broom - there will be small areas, like steps, where it will be hard to use the snowblower.For the lawn, if all your grass is within 100 feet of an outlet, and the lawns are relatively "open", you might consider a corded electric mower. 

Honestly, I am relatively new to the real estate industry.

However, I do see a house of primary residence in my relatively near future 1-5 years unless I move cities/change jobs before then. 

My intentions are to purchase single-family homes from motivated sellers and hold them as rentals in a relatively small geographic area (Edwardsville, IL). 

If you figure out the value, in relation to your plan, then you will know whether to buy it or pass: rent it out or house hack?  

If you want to email me the address of your rental, I'd gladly give you my opinion of its present value, relative to your purchase price of $162,000 5 years ago. 

I'm a relatively new RE investor, and new to the BP community as well.

A standard demonstration related to this is dropping a chunk of concrete into water -- it will bubble for a pretty long time as it takes on water, then when you take it out the reverse occurs.Can't really tell -- are you saying this is new construction?