Our first thought is the save $ to buy a new home with a warranty and rent a town home (by the water which we love) during the waiting period.

I have also heard so many investors horror stories about finding quality people to help renovate and maintain the their property while being out of town please let me know if I can help !

I am sure he could rent a mobile home with land for the dogs in those towns.

What area of town is this in?

I will be in Philadelphia for this weekend from Kansas City, MO and if anyone is interested in a meet up or know if a meetup between 18-23 let me know I would love to connect with like minded and real estate investors Near the area or around town please let me know! 

As for using lease options, if you know what you're doing they present an opportunity to control properties without ownership. 

Everyone started using it as a driveway and would park on it so now it is paved and maintained by the town. 

@Tahiv Grantham In a lot of towns they will cross reference with the building inspectors as to whether or not you made any improvements.

@Andi Sjamsu, sub $400k is going to be very difficult in either of those towns.

Sometime there are not many investors on here in one town or another but as a whole you can make great connections here and sometimes in your specific area.